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Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Role of the DEK oncogene in the development of squamous cell carcinoma
Kazuhisa Ishida1,2, Takayuki Nakashima1,2, Toshiyuki Shibata2
1Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
Abstract:
DEK is a highly conserved nuclear factor that plays an important role in the regulation of multiple cellular processes. DEK was discovered to be an oncogene as a fusion with NUP214 gene, which results in producing DEK-NUP214 proteins, in a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Subsequently, DEK overexpression was reported in many cancers, thus DEK itself is considered to be an oncoprotein. DEK has been reported to play important roles in the progression of early and late stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and is useful for early diagnosis of the disease. These findings have made DEK an attractive therapeutic target, especially for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated SCC. However, the mechanism of DEK in SCC remains unclear. In this review, we discuss human DEK oncogene-related SCC.
Insights
The DEK oncogene, a nuclear factor, is implicated in various cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Understanding DEK
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- DEK is a conserved nuclear factor involved in cellular processes.
- DEK functions as an oncogene, notably in acute myeloid leukemia and various cancers.
- DEK overexpression is linked to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) progression and diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the human DEK oncogene in SCC.
- To highlight DEK as a potential therapeutic target for HPV-associated SCC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on DEK and SCC.
- Analysis of DEK's function in cancer progression.
Main Results:
- DEK plays significant roles in both early and late stages of SCC.
- DEK is a potential biomarker for early SCC diagnosis.
- DEK is a promising therapeutic target for HPV-associated SCC.
Conclusions:
- DEK oncogene is critically involved in SCC pathogenesis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate DEK's precise mechanisms in SCC.
- Targeting DEK may offer new therapeutic strategies for SCC.
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