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Abnormal Expression of c-Myc Oncogene in NK Cells in Patients with Cancer

Gulnur K Zakiryanova1, Elena Kustova2, Nataliya T Urazalieva3

  • 1Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan. gzakiryanova@gmail.com.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 14, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for antitumor immunity. This study reveals that decreased c-myc expression in NK cells is linked to their dysfunction in cancer patients, impacting immune surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells play a vital role in antitumor immune responses.
  • NK cell dysfunction is a key mechanism for cancer immune evasion.
  • Molecular pathways regulating NK cell exhaustion in cancer remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of the c-myc proto-oncogene in NK cell abnormalities observed in lung and gastric cancer patients.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NK cell dysfunction in the context of cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of c-myc mRNA and protein expression in peripheral blood NK cells.
  • Assessment of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity.
  • Evaluation of NK cell cycle progression and cell longevity.

Main Results:

  • Significantly decreased c-myc mRNA and protein expression were observed in NK cells from cancer patients.
  • NK cells exhibited mitotic arrest in various cell cycle phases.
  • A significant reduction in NK cell death was detected.

Conclusions:

  • Disturbed c-myc expression in NK cells may be associated with impaired NK cell-mediated tumor surveillance in cancer patients.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing NK cell-based cancer therapies.
  • Targeting c-myc pathways could enhance NK cell function for improved cancer treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
MAPKNK cellsc-mycgastric cancerlung cancer

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