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Chemokines in cancer
1Department of Head and Neck Research, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Box Holcombe, Box 69, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mfrederi@mdanderson.org
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
|October 31, 2003
Summary
Chemokines, small signaling proteins, regulate leukocyte movement and inflammation. They impact tumor growth via angiogenesis, immune response, and direct tumor cell proliferation, offering potential cancer therapy targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chemokines are cytokines crucial for leukocyte trafficking and immune responses.
- These molecules play a significant role in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer progression.
- Tumor growth is influenced by chemokines through angiogenesis, immune modulation, and direct tumor cell stimulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of chemokines in regulating tumor behavior.
- To explore the potential of targeting chemokine pathways for novel cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on chemokine functions in cancer.
- Analysis of preclinical mouse models investigating chemokine antagonists and agonists.
Main Results:
- Chemokines regulate tumor-associated angiogenesis, a key factor in tumor growth.
- They modulate host anti-tumor immune responses.
- Chemokines can directly stimulate tumor cell proliferation via autocrine signaling.
Conclusions:
- Chemokine-mediated mechanisms represent promising targets for cancer intervention.
- Chemokine antagonists and agonists show potential as future anticancer therapeutics based on preclinical data.