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Pregnane xenobiotic receptor in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic response

Satyanarayana R Pondugula1, Sridhar Mani

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. srp0010@auburn.edu

Cancer Letters
|September 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) plays a key role in cancer by influencing drug metabolism, proliferation, and metastasis. Further research into selective PXR modulators is needed for improved cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) is an orphan nuclear receptor involved in metabolizing endogenous and exogenous compounds.
  • PXR is activated by various xenochemicals, including anticancer drugs and endocrine disruptors.
  • While primarily studied for its role in liver and intestinal xenobiotic clearance, PXR is expressed in numerous normal and malignant tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding PXR's role in cancer.
  • To discuss future research directions for elucidating PXR's mechanistic functions in cancer.
  • To emphasize the need for novel selective PXR modulators.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of PXR research in oncology.
  • Analysis of PXR's involvement in drug metabolism, apoptosis, and signaling pathways.
  • Discussion of PXR expression patterns in various cancer types.

Main Results:

  • PXR's differential expression in cancer tissues correlates with chemotherapeutic outcomes.
  • Emerging evidence links PXR to pathways regulating tumor proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, and anti-apoptosis.
  • PXR's broad expression and promiscuous activation highlight its complex role in cancer biology.

Conclusions:

  • PXR significantly impacts cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting PXR pathways holds therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
  • Development of selective PXR modulators is crucial for future therapeutic strategies.

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