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Screening and Identification of Small Peptides Targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor2 using a Phage Display Peptide Library
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Published on: September 30, 2019

Is fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 a suitable target of cancer therapy?

Christine Heinzle, Zeynep Erdem, Jakob Paur

  • 1Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine 1, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria. brigitte.marian@meduniwien.ac.at.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|August 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is a potential cancer therapy target due to its unique characteristics. This review explores FGFR4

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and their receptors (FGFR) are crucial for normal development and tissue maintenance.
  • Deregulation of FGF/FGFR signaling is implicated in cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting FGF/FGFR signaling is a growing strategy in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiology and pathophysiology of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 (FGFR4).
  • To discuss the potential of targeting FGFR4 for cancer therapy.
  • To explore the dual role of FGFR4 in oncogenesis and tissue protection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on FGFR4.
  • Analysis of FGFR4's unique characteristics compared to FGFRs 1-3.
  • Discussion of potential therapeutic strategies and challenges.

Main Results:

  • FGFR4 plays a less understood role compared to FGFRs 1-3.
  • FGFR4 inhibition may have fewer adverse effects due to non-lethal phenotype upon deletion.
  • FGFR4's kinase domain allows for specific inhibitor development.
  • FGFR4 exhibits both oncogenic potential and tissue-protective tumor suppressor activity, particularly in the liver.

Conclusions:

  • FGFR4 presents a promising, yet complex, target for cancer therapy.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate FGFR4's role and optimize therapeutic strategies.
  • Balancing FGFR4's oncogenic and protective functions is key for effective treatment.

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