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Role of the Survivin gene in pathophysiology

Fengzhi Li1, Michael G Brattain

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. fengzhi.li@roswellpark.org

The American Journal of Pathology
|July 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Survivin, a protein crucial in cancer, also plays roles in normal human cells. Understanding these functions could lead to less toxic cancer therapies by targeting survivin differently in healthy versus diseased tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Survivin's role in cancer cell division and apoptosis is well-documented.
  • Targeting survivin for cancer therapeutics is an active area of research.
  • The function of survivin in normal human cells and organs is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiological and pathological roles of survivin in normal human cells and organs.
  • To explore differences in survivin regulation and function between normal and cancerous cells.
  • To discuss future research directions for survivin-based therapies with reduced toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on survivin.
  • Analysis of survivin's function in various normal human tissues.
  • Comparative analysis of survivin in normal versus cancerous cells.

Main Results:

  • Survivin exhibits diverse roles in normal cellular processes.
  • Dysregulation of survivin in normal tissues may contribute to disease.
  • Identifying normal survivin functions is key to developing targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Further investigation into survivin's physiological roles is essential.
  • Understanding survivin in normal cells can guide the development of safer cancer treatments.
  • Targeting survivin selectively offers potential for low-toxicity therapeutic strategies.

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