Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
09:08
Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer
Published on: January 12, 2020
7.3K
Notch and its oncogenic activity in human malignancies.
Marlena Brzozowa-Zasada1, Adam Piecuch1, Marek Michalski1
1Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
European Surgery : ACA : Acta Chirurgica Austriaca
|November 7, 2017
Summary
Notch signaling plays a dual role in cancer, acting as both a tumor promoter and suppressor. Targeting this pathway with gamma-secretase inhibitors shows promise in treating various cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Notch signaling is frequently deregulated in human cancers, exhibiting both protumorigenic and tumor-suppressive roles.
- The paradoxical effects of Notch signaling in different cell types remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted role of Notch signaling in cancer pathogenesis.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting Notch signaling in malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature on Notch signaling in cancer.
- Analysis of data linking Notch alterations to various cancer types and treatment resistance.
Main Results:
- Notch signaling is implicated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, breast, ovarian, colon, lung cancers, and Kaposi's sarcoma.
- Notch 3 expression is associated with chemotherapy resistance, a significant challenge in cancer treatment.
- Overexpression of Notch is oncogenic and linked to numerous human malignancies.
Conclusions:
- Notch signaling acts as a binary cell fate determinant with oncogenic potential in many cancers.
- Gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) targeting Notch intracellular domain (NICD) release are a promising therapeutic strategy.
- Preclinical models demonstrate GSI efficacy in suppressing pancreatic, breast, and lung cancer growth.
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