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CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution?

Evangelos Manousakis1, Clàudia Martinez Miralles1, Maria Guimerà Esquerda1

  • 1Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A/p21) impacts cell cycle, DNA repair, and stem cell fate. Understanding its dual role in cancer is key for developing targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Regulation

Background:

  • Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A/p21) is crucial for cell cycle arrest by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
  • CDKN1A/p21 is involved in apoptosis, DNA damage response (DDR), and stem cell fate regulation.
  • Its expression and function vary, acting as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor in different cancer contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of CDKN1A/p21's multifaceted roles in cancer.
  • To present clinical data related to CDKN1A/p21 in cancer patients.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies targeting CDKN1A/p21 for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of CDKN1A/p21 functions.
  • Analysis of clinical data in cancer patients.
  • Discussion of therapeutic targeting strategies.

Main Results:

  • CDKN1A/p21 influences key cancer hallmarks: proliferation, cancer stem cell (CSC) renewal, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and chemoresistance.
  • The protein exhibits context-dependent oncogenic or tumor-suppressive activities.
  • Expression levels of CDKN1A/p21 differ across various tumor types.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting CDKN1A/p21 offers promising therapeutic potential due to its involvement in multiple cancer hallmarks.
  • A deeper understanding of CDKN1A/p21's mechanisms and regulatory networks is essential for effective cancer therapies.
  • Further research is needed to harness the therapeutic potential of CDKN1A/p21 manipulation.
Keywords:
CDKN1Abreast cancercancer stem cellscell cyclecyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1Ap21

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