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Cytokine Signaling in Tumor Progression
1Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea.
Immune Network
|September 2, 2017
Summary
Cytokines regulate cellular functions and immunity, and their signaling pathway, JAK-STAT, is crucial in cancer. Aberrant JAK-STAT activation drives cancer, making JAK-STAT proteins promising therapeutic targets for human cancers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cytokines are key regulators of cellular processes, immune responses, and host defense.
- Cytokine signaling predominantly occurs via the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway.
- The JAK-STAT pathway plays vital roles in immune surveillance and tolerance, and its dysregulation is implicated in cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical roles of cytokines and the JAK-STAT pathway in cancer.
- To highlight the evidence supporting JAK-STAT proteins as therapeutic targets in human cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature, including knockout mouse studies and clinical human trials.
- Analysis of data on cytokine function, JAK-STAT pathway activation, and cancer pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- JAK-STAT pathway activation is essential for normal immune functions, including tumor surveillance.
- Aberrant JAK-STAT signaling is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of various human cancers.
- Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies supports the role of JAK-STAT proteins in cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- The JAK-STAT pathway is a critical mediator of cytokine signaling with dual roles in immunity and cancer.
- Dysregulation of the JAK-STAT pathway contributes to cancer development and progression.
- Targeting JAK-STAT proteins represents a promising therapeutic strategy for human cancers.
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