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Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma pathway targeting in carcinogenesis: implications for

Frank Ondrey1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology and University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. ondre002@umn.edu

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|January 2, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma activators show anticancer effects by down-regulating carcinogenesis. However, clinical trials for advanced cancers have had limited success, prompting a review of their potential in cancer chemoprevention.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma is a nuclear receptor.
  • PPARgamma activators include endogenous fatty acids and FDA-approved drugs like pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.
  • Activated PPARgamma, in complex with retinoid X receptor alpha, initiates antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and prodifferentiation pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review translational findings on PPARgamma activation in carcinogenesis prevention.
  • To explore the clinical potential of PPARgamma activators as cancer chemoprevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on PPARgamma activation and its effects on cancer cell lines.
  • Analysis of translational research and clinical trial outcomes for PPARgamma activators in cancer.

Main Results:

  • PPARgamma activators demonstrate significant anticancer effects in cell line studies.
  • Clinical trials of PPARgamma activators for advanced cancers have yielded limited success.

Conclusions:

  • Despite promising preclinical data, the clinical application of PPARgamma activators in advanced cancer treatment is challenging.
  • Further research into PPARgamma activation is warranted for developing effective cancer chemoprevention strategies.

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