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Published on: January 12, 2020
Notch Signalling Pathways and Their Importance in the Treatment of Cancers
1Department of Anatomy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Background:
The Notch pathway is an evolutionarily conserved, intercellular signalling system which is present in all multicellular organisms and mammals. The Notch pathway plays an important role in the embryonic development as it controls cell proliferation, cell differentiation and binary cell fate decisions.
Objective:
In the present review, we highlight the Notch signalling pathway components i.e. Notch receptors, ligands, effector, and their regulators. We also discuss the tumor biology of the Notch pathway involved in various cancers.
Results:
Interestingly, the Notch signalling pathway is dysregulated in many cancers. Notch may serve as oncogene or tumor suppressor and plays an important role in cancers of the liver, pancreas, endometrium of uterus, ovary, prostate, bladder and colon. The activation of Notch pathway plays a vital role in the progression of some cancer. In addition, Notch pathway activation was also shown to drive chemoresistance in cancer, as well. Chemotherapeutically, combined NOTCH1 inhibitor synergistically attenuated chemotherapy-enriched cancer stem cell population both in vitro and in vivo. This may prove to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer.
Conclusion:
The Notch inhibitors possess anti-proliferative effects on cancer, thereby serving as a new treatment for cancer.
Insights
The Notch pathway is crucial for embryonic development and its dysregulation is implicated in various cancers. Notch inhibitors show anti-proliferative effects, offering a potential new cancer treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Cellular signaling
- Developmental biology
- Cancer biology
Background:
- The Notch pathway is an evolutionarily conserved intercellular signaling system vital for multicellular organisms.
- It plays a critical role in embryonic development, regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and fate decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Notch signaling pathway components and their regulators.
- To discuss the role of the Notch pathway in the tumor biology of various cancers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Notch signaling pathway components.
- Analysis of Notch pathway involvement in cancer progression and chemoresistance.
Main Results:
- The Notch pathway is frequently dysregulated in cancers, acting as an oncogene or tumor suppressor.
- Notch pathway activation contributes to cancer progression and chemoresistance.
- Notch inhibitors demonstrated synergistic effects in reducing cancer stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Notch inhibitors exhibit anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells.
- Targeting the Notch pathway presents a promising new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
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