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The functional role of p38 MAPK pathway in malignant brain tumors

Nathália Grave1,2, Thamiris Becker Scheffel2,3, Fernanda Fernandes Cruz2

  • 1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|October 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The p38 MAPK pathway is crucial in malignant brain tumor development and resistance to therapy. Understanding its role is key to improving glioma treatments and patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Signaling

Background:

  • Gliomas are aggressive brain tumors with poor therapeutic responses.
  • Molecular abnormalities, including altered signaling pathways, drive glioma initiation and progression.
  • The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway is frequently dysregulated in glial tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of the p38 MAPK pathway in the genesis and progression of malignant brain tumors.
  • To highlight the significance of p38 MAPK in glioma pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on p38 MAPK signaling in glioma.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking p38 MAPK to glioma cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and differentiation.
  • Correlation of p38 MAPK activation with tumor grade and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • p38 MAPK activation is implicated in glioma cell invasion and metastasis.
  • Increased p38 MAPK activity correlates positively with higher tumor grade.
  • The p38 MAPK pathway contributes to brain tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • The p38 MAPK pathway is a significant oncogenic factor in malignant brain tumors.
  • Targeting the p38 MAPK pathway may offer novel therapeutic strategies for gliomas.
  • Further understanding of p38 MAPK is essential for developing more effective glioma treatments.
Keywords:
brain tumorsgliomamitogen-activated protein kinasesp38 MAPK inhibitorssmall molecules

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