Understanding p27(kip1) deregulation in cancer: down-regulation or mislocalization

There is considerable evidence that the inactivation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1) is a fundamental step for the development of human malignancies. In particular, reduced expression of p27(kip1), due to increased protein degradation, correlates with poor prognosis of patients affected by various types of cancer. The purpose of this mini-review is to present an overview of the current understanding of the alteration of p27(kip1) function in human cancer and to describe the different mechanisms that contributes to it. Particular emphasis is placed on the novel finding of p27(kip1) mislocalization in tumor cells and on the biochemical pathways responsible for p27(kip1) cytosolic accumulation. Finally, we review the possible clinical implications of these observations with respect to prognosis and novel anticancer therapies.