IKK/NF-κB signaling: balancing life and death – a new approach to cancer therapy
Jun-Li Luo, Hideaki Kamata, Michael Karin
Jun-Li Luo, Hideaki Kamata, Michael Karin
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IKK/NF-κB signaling: balancing life and death – a new approach to cancer therapy

Abstract

IκB kinase/NF-κB (IKK/NF-κB) signaling pathways play critical roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. One function of NF-κB is promotion of cell survival through induction of target genes, whose products inhibit components of the apoptotic machinery in normal and cancerous cells. NF-κB can also prevent programmed necrosis by inducing genes encoding antioxidant proteins. Regardless of mechanism, many cancer cells, of either epithelial or hematopoietic origin, use NF-κB to achieve resistance to anticancer drugs, radiation, and death cytokines. Hence, inhibition of IKK-driven NF-κB activation offers a strategy for treatment of different malignancies and can convert inflammation-induced tumor growth to inflammation-induced tumor regression.

Authors

Jun-Li Luo, Hideaki Kamata, Michael Karin

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Inhibition of NF-κB in cancer cells converts inflammation-induced tumor ...
Inhibition of NF-κB in cancer cells converts inflammation-induced tumor growth to tumor regression. Activation of the innate and adaptive immune system can have profound influence on tumor growth and development. In addition to its role in activation of immune cells, NF-κB within the malignant cell is a major modulator of the tumor response to inflammation. Activation of NF-κB promotes tumor growth and confers resistance to death cytokines, such as TRAIL. Conversely, inhibition of NF-κB prevents inflammation-stimulated tumor growth and enhances inflammation-induced tumor regression mediated by TRAIL.