Updated Functional Roles of NAMPT in Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Niches

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is increasingly recognized for its regulatory functions in tumor development and progression.
• Evidence highlights NAMPT's role in cancer, including somatic mutations, expression patterns, and prognostic significance, positioning it as a potential cancer biomarker.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent research on the oncogenic activities of NAMPT.
• To summarize current knowledge on NAMPT somatic mutations, clinical trials, transcriptome data, and its signaling pathways in modulating cancer hallmarks.
• To provide insights into NAMPT's role in tumor development and progression for future therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research developments.
• Analysis of NAMPT somatic mutations, clinical trials, and transcriptome data.
• Representation of NAMPT RNA expression in a pancancer panel and single-cell level analysis in normal tissues.

Main Results:

• NAMPT is implicated in modulating cancer metastasis, proliferation, angiogenesis, cancer stemness, and chemoresistance.
• Comprehensive analysis of NAMPT expression across various cancers and normal cell types was performed.
• Potential sites and cell types facilitating NAMPT-related tumorigenesis were identified.

Conclusions:

• NAMPT exhibits significant oncogenic activities and influences multiple hallmarks of cancer.
• Further investigation into NAMPT's underlying mechanisms is crucial for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
• This review provides a foundation for understanding NAMPT's regulatory roles and guiding future research directions in oncology.