Nuclear factor-kappaB activation: from bench to bedside

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2008 Jan;233(1):21-31. doi: 10.3181/0707-MR-196.

Abstract

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a proinflammatory transcription factor that has emerged as an important player in the development and progression of malignant cancers. NF-kappaB targets genes that promote tumor cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, inflammation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Constitutive or aberrant activation of NF-kappa is frequently encountered in many human tumors and is associated with a resistant phenotype and poor prognosis. The mechanism of such persistent NF-kappaB activation is not clear but may involve defects in signaling pathways, mutations, or chromosomal rearrangements. Suppression of constitutive NF-kappaB activation inhibits the oncogenic potential of transformed cells and thus makes NF-kappaB an interesting new therapeutic target in cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B