NF-κB, an active player in human cancers

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cellular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a family of transcription factors regulating cellular processes.
• NF-κB signaling is implicated in both physiological and pathological conditions, particularly in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted role of NF-κB in human cancer.
• To highlight NF-κB as a potential therapeutic target in oncology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of NF-κB pathway involvement in cancer.
• Examination of NF-κB's functions in tumor initiation, development, metastasis, and treatment resistance.

Main Results:

• Constitutive NF-κB activity is common in human cancers, driven by inflammation and oncogenic mutations.
• NF-κB promotes tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion.
• Suppression of NF-κB leads to tumor regression, validating it as a therapeutic target.

Conclusions:

• The NF-κB pathway is a critical regulator of cancer progression and a promising target for anti-cancer therapies.
• Careful selection and evaluation of NF-κB pathway components are essential for designing effective targeted therapies.