title: Concise Review: NANOG in Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Development: An Update and Outstanding Questions.
abstract: The homeobox domain transcription factor NANOG, a key regulator of embryonic development and cellular reprogramming, has been reported to be broadly expressed in human cancers. Functional studies have provided strong evidence that NANOG possesses protumorigenic attributes. In addition to promoting self-renewal and long-term proliferative potential of stem-like cancer cells, NANOG-mediated oncogenic reprogramming may underlie clinical manifestations of malignant disease. In this review, we examine the molecular origin, expression, biological activities, and mechanisms of action of NANOG in various malignancies. We also consider clinical implications such as correlations between NANOG expression and cancer prognosis and/or response to therapy. We surmise that NANOG potentiates the molecular circuitry of tumorigenesis, and thus may represent a novel therapeutic target or biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcome of cancer. Finally, we present critical pending questions relating NANOG to cancer stem cells and tumor development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Collene R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Jeter
authors.affiliation: Cancer Stem Cell Institute, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Stem Cell Institute, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Junchen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Hsueh-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, USA.|Cancer Stem Cell Institute, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dean G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C486780:NANOG protein, human; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins
keywords: Cancer stem cells; NANOG; Self-renewal; Tumor development
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