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STAT3 activation in infection and infection-associated cancer

Rong Lu1, Yong-Guo Zhang1, Jun Sun1

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|February 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) promotes cancer by driving inflammation. Targeting STAT3 may offer new treatments for infections and associated cancers, including colon cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators for transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway is vital for cellular processes like apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation.
  • STAT3 is a key regulator in establishing a pro-carcinogenic inflammatory microenvironment and is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including infections and cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current research on STAT3 activation in the context of infections and cancers.
  • To highlight the novel role of STAT3 in Salmonella infection-associated colon cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of STAT3 activation in infection and cancer.
  • Analysis of a specific study involving Salmonella infection and colon cancer development.

Main Results:

  • STAT3 activation is linked to diverse biological functions in disease pathogenesis.
  • Infection with AvrA-expressing Salmonella activates STAT3, subsequently inducing β-catenin signaling.
  • This STAT3-mediated pathway enhances colonic tumorigenesis in the context of Salmonella infection.

Conclusions:

  • STAT3 plays a significant role in the inflammatory processes underlying infectious diseases and cancer.
  • STAT3 is a potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating infections and associated cancers.
  • The findings suggest STAT3 as a promising target for intervention in Salmonella-driven colon cancer.
Keywords:
BacteriaColon cancerInfectionInflammationJAKSTATSTAT3STAT5SalmonellaVirus

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