title: Differentiation: an encouraging approach to anticancer therapy.
abstract: Differentiation is a complex multistep process of cell specialization that begins with the installation of a genetic programme, named determination, specific for a cell lineage. Development of the differentiation programme includes the cell-type specific silencing of some genes and the expression of other genes, that regulate the biological functions associated with the cellular type and that distinguish the specialized cells. Terminal differentiation is the end stage of this process where the cells irreversibly lose their proliferative capacity and which represents a form of negative control of growing. Regulating molecules interact to produce the correct balance between cellular multiplication and differentiation during embryogenesis and the normal behaviour of an adult. Cancer is a process in which changes in regulating circuits are produced, such as proliferation control, the balance between cellular survival and programmed cellular death (apoptosis), the communication with neighbouring cells and with the extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, and finally, the migration of the tumoural cell, the invasion and metastasic dissemination. This process implies the progressive development of a more malign phenotype with an increase of genetic alterations involving genes at several levels of expression during long periods of time. These genetic changes uncouple the normal balance between multiplication and cellular differentiation with an increase in the rate of proliferating cells. Classic chemotherapeutical agents have been very important; nevertheless, as the mechanism of action of these drugs depends on the cytodestruction of the neoplastic cells, their beneficial effects are normally accompanied by a notable morbidity, cytotoxicity and multidrug resistance. The knowledge of the mechanisms involved in differentiation and malignant transformation has allowed the search of alternative routes for antitumoural therapy that does not imply cellular death. Differentiation therapy focuses on the development and use of specific agents designed to selectively attract the terminal differentiation process, making the elimination of tumoural cells feasible together with the establishment of normal cellular homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Jaén, Spain. jmarchal@ujaen.es
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Marchal
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Serrano
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madeddu
authors.forename: Houria
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boulaiz
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Amat
authors.forename: Esmeralda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.forename: Octavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Caba
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Prados
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.forename: Consolación
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melguizo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montella
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aránega
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*