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The EMT regulator slug and lung carcinogenesis
1Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Cancer metastasis and resistance to treatment (including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy) are two major causes for the poor survival of lung cancer patients. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in cancer cell invasion, resistance to apoptosis and stem cell features. The process of EMT is controlled by a group of transcriptional factors, zinc finger proteins and basic helix-loop-helix factors. Signaling pathways activated by intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli converge on these transcriptional factors and regulated the phenotypic changes of cancer cells. These EMT regulators may play an important role in cancer progression. In lung cancer, Slug is the most thoroughly investigated EMT regulator. The expression of Slug is associated with lung cancer invasion and resistance to target therapy. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of the role of Slug in the carcinogenesis and progression of lung cancer.
Insights
Slug, a key regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), drives lung cancer progression, invasion, and treatment resistance. Understanding Slug
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
- Metastasis and treatment resistance significantly reduce patient survival.
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to cancer cell invasion and therapeutic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Slug in lung cancer development and progression.
- To highlight Slug as a critical regulator of EMT in lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on EMT regulators in lung cancer.
- Focus on the expression and function of Slug in lung carcinogenesis.
Main Results:
- Slug is a key EMT regulator in lung cancer.
- Slug expression correlates with increased lung cancer invasion.
- Slug is implicated in resistance to targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- Slug plays a significant role in lung cancer progression.
- Targeting Slug may offer therapeutic strategies for lung cancer.
