title: Notch Signaling in Cancer: Rationale and Strategies for Targeting.
abstract: The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved system that controls embryonic cell fate decisions and the maintenance of adult stem cells through affecting communication between adjacent cells. The pathway is linked to the development of various cancers owing to increased cell proliferation and tumor blood perfusion in addition to inhibition of apoptosis. Pharmaceutical agents that suppress overactive Notch signaling may be of benefit in the treatment of patients with various cancers. These targeted therapies confer several advantages over conventional anticancer therapies including reduced deleterious effects on normal cells. In this review, we explore the rationale for targeting the Notch signaling pathway in cancer along with different investigational strategies designed to block the pathway.
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alketbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. samir.attoub@uaeu.ac.ae.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Attoub
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051880:Receptors, Notch