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Oncogenic ASPM Is a Regulatory Hub of Developmental and Stemness Signaling in Cancers

Kelvin K Tsai1,2,3, Byoung-Il Bae4, Chung-Chi Hsu5

  • 1Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Cancer Research
|June 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Assembly factor for spindle microtubules (ASPM) isoform 1 drives cancer stemness and aggressiveness. This protein regulates key cancer pathways and DNA repair, offering potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Advanced-stage cancers lack effective treatments despite targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
  • Assembly factor for spindle microtubules (ASPM) is a centrosomal protein involved in neurogenesis and mitosis.
  • Emerging evidence links ASPM, particularly isoform 1, to cancer stemness and aggressiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the domain composition, transcript variants, expression patterns, and prognostic significance of ASPM in various cancers.
  • To summarize recent findings on ASPM's role as a regulatory hub in cancer development and stemness.
  • To highlight ASPM's potential as a cancer-agnostic prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of ASPM's structure, function, and expression in cancer.
  • Analysis of ASPM's involvement in key signaling pathways (Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch).
  • Examination of ASPM's role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair mechanisms in cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • ASPM isoform 1 is a critical regulator of cancer stemness and aggressiveness across multiple tumor types.
  • ASPM integrates developmental and stemness signaling pathways.
  • ASPM plays a significant role in DNA double-strand break repair in cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • ASPM, especially isoform 1, is implicated in cancer progression and stemness.
  • ASPM's involvement in critical cancer pathways and DNA repair suggests its utility.
  • ASPM represents a promising cancer-agnostic prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target.

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