Targeting Myc in pediatric malignancies of the central and peripheral nervous system.
Myc family genes are often deregulated in embryonal tumors of childhood including medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma and are frequently associated with aggressive, poorly differentiated tumors. The Myc protein is a transcription factor that regulates a variety of cellular processes including cell growth and proliferation, cell cycle progression, differentiation, apoptosis, and cell motility. Potential strategies that either inhibit the proliferation-promoting effect of Myc and/or activate its pro-apoptotic function are presently being explored. In this review, we will give an overview of Myc activation in embryonal tumors and discuss current strategies aimed at targeting Myc for cancer treatment.
Grotzer
Michael A
MA
Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, Zurich, Switzerland. Michael.Grotzer@kispi.uzh.ch
Castelletti
Deborah
D
Fiaschetti
Giulio
G
Shalaby
Tarek
T
Arcaro
Alexandre
A
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018335:Rhabdoid Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc