Targeting the NF-κB pathway in prostate cancer: a promising therapeutic approach?
Rel/NF-κB transcription factors are key regulators of genes implicated in inflammatory and immune activation, cell growth and protection from apoptosis. Constitutive activation of NF-κB has been observed in several types of cancers. Recently, it has been shown that inflammation and cancer are molecularly linked by means of NF-κB. During prostate cancer progression, NF-κB promotes cell survival, tumor invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. NF-κB constitutive activation has been frequently demonstrated in primary prostate cancers and it correlates with loss of androgen receptor expression and castration-resistant phenotypes. Indeed, inhibition of NF-κB pathway may reduce the oncogenic effects mediated by chronic inflammatory response. Therefore, NF-κB represents a hopeful target for the treatment of prostate cancer due to its role in oncogenesis and chemoresistance. Here, the current knowledge about the roles of NF-κB signaling pathway in prostate tumorigenesis is discussed, taking into consideration the potentiality and effectiveness of NF-κB inhibitors as therapeutic agents for prostate cancer.
Daniela
D
Verzella
Mariafausta
M
Fischietti
Daria
D
Capece
Davide
D
Vecchiotti
Filippo
F
Del Vecchio
Germana
G
Cicciarelli
Valentina
V
Mastroiaco
Alessandra
A
Tessitore
Edoardo
E
Alesse
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito II, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. francesca.zazzeroni@univaq.it.
Francesca
F
Zazzeroni
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016328:NF-kappa B