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Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
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NF-kappaB inhibition: a double-edged sword in cancer?

Eli Pikarsky1, Yinon Ben-Neriah

  • 1Department of Pathology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Ein Kerem Campus, Kiryat Hadassah, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. peli@hadassah.org.il

European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|March 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) plays a key role in cancer development and chemotherapy resistance. Its role in tumorigenesis is complex, sometimes blocking and sometimes facilitating tumor growth in mouse models.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a critical transcription factor involved in cellular responses.
  • NF-kappaB is a known mediator of chemotherapy resistance in cancer.
  • Recent studies highlight NF-kappaB's significant role in carcinogenesis, particularly in early tumor development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the role of NF-kappaB in tumor development.
  • To propose a hypothesis resolving the paradoxical roles of NF-kappaB in tumorigenesis.
  • To guide future cancer model studies and pharmaceutical drug development targeting NF-kappaB.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent genetic studies in mouse models of cancer.
  • Analysis of existing literature on NF-kappaB's function in carcinogenesis and chemotherapy resistance.
  • Formulation of a unifying hypothesis based on current evidence.

Main Results:

  • Direct genetic evidence confirms NF-kappaB's critical role in carcinogenesis.
  • NF-kappaB's involvement in tumor development is complex and context-dependent.
  • Inhibition of NF-kappaB can either block or promote tumor development across different models.

Conclusions:

  • The role of NF-kappaB in tumorigenesis is more intricate than previously understood.
  • A proposed hypothesis aims to reconcile the opposing effects of NF-kappaB in cancer models.
  • Further research in cancer models is essential for clarifying NF-kappaB's function and informing therapeutic strategies.

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