NF-kappaB in solid tumors.
Cancer is a multistep process during which cells acquire genetic alterations that drive the progressive transformation of normal cells into highly malignant cells. Self-sufficiency in growth, insensitivity to anti-growth signals, evasion of apoptosis, limitless replicative potential, sustained angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis, are signatures of transformed cells. NF-kappaB is a key actor in tumorigenesis given its ability to control the expression and the function of a number of genes involved in these processes. Indeed, constitutive activation of NF-kappaB is a common feature of many human tumors, while its sustained activation during inflammation predisposes normal cells to neoplastic transformation. Since suppression of NF-kappaB has been shown to inhibit oncogenic potential of transformed cells, targeting it should be effective in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Pacifico
Francesco
F
Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, CNR, Italy.
Leonardi
Antonio
A
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016328:NF-kappa B