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Aberrant expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in human breast and head and neck cancer

Andrey V Ugolkov1,2, Maria Matsangou1, Timothy J Taxter3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Oncology Letters
|November 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Aberrant nuclear accumulation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β) was observed in most breast and head and neck cancers. This finding suggests GSK-3β may be a potential therapeutic target for these cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in human cancer.
  • Aberrant GSK-3β expression is a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the aberrant expression of GSK-3β as a potential biomarker in human breast and head and neck cancers.
  • To investigate the clinical significance of GSK-3β expression in different cancer subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized nuclear/cytosolic fractionation, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical staining.
  • Analyzed GSK-3β expression in human breast cancer cell lines, breast carcinomas, and benign breast tissue.
  • Examined GSK-3β expression in squamous cell head and neck carcinomas and benign head and neck tissues.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated aberrant nuclear GSK-3β accumulation in five human breast cancer cell lines and 70% of human breast carcinomas.
  • Found no detectable GSK-3β expression in benign breast tissue.
  • Observed aberrant nuclear GSK-3β expression in 73% of squamous cell head and neck carcinomas, with minimal expression in benign tissues.
  • Associated nuclear GSK-3β expression with HER-2 positive and non-triple negative breast carcinomas.

Conclusions:

  • Aberrant nuclear GSK-3β expression is a prevalent finding in breast and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
  • GSK-3β may serve as a potential therapeutic target for clinical treatment of these cancers.
  • Further research into GSK-3β targeted therapies is warranted.
Keywords:
GSK-3breast cancerexpressionhead and neck cancernuclear

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