Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Protocol for the Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mixed Cultures of Neurons and Glia for Neurotoxicity Testing
09:02

Protocol for the Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mixed Cultures of Neurons and Glia for Neurotoxicity Testing

Published on: June 9, 2017

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Targeting NRF2 and Its Downstream Processes: Opportunities and Challenges

Laura Torrente1, Gina M DeNicola1

  • 1Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA;

Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
|September 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) protects cells from stress but cancer hijacks it for survival and treatment resistance. This review explores blocking NRF2 in tumors to improve cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that regulates cytoprotective and metabolic genes.
  • NRF2 activation is a defense mechanism against carcinogens in healthy tissues.
  • Cancer cells exploit NRF2 for redox balance, metabolic needs, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of NRF2 in cancer progression.
  • To discuss strategies for inhibiting NRF2 signaling in tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of NRF2's function in cancer.
  • Analysis of therapeutic approaches targeting NRF2.

Main Results:

  • NRF2 plays a dual role in cancer: protective in early stages, but exploited by established cancers.
  • Aberrant NRF2 activation promotes cancer cell survival and therapeutic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting NRF2 is a promising strategy to overcome cancer's adaptive mechanisms.
  • Further research is needed to develop effective NRF2 inhibitors for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
KEAP1NRF2cancertherapeutics

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