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Midkine: A Cancer Biomarker Candidate and Innovative Therapeutic Approaches
Berna Yıldırım1, Kudret Kulak2, Ayhan Bilir1
1Department of Histology and Embryology İstanbul Atlas University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Midkine (MDK) is a protein that contributes to both physiological and pathological processes. Several studies provide insight into the different roles of MDK in development, tissue repair, neural plasticity, and health and disease processes. This research further examined how MDK contributed to conditions, including neurological diseases, inflammation, and ischaemia. Furthermore, MDK overexpression has been reported in many kinds of cancer and MDK is recognized as a malignancy marker. MDK stimulates pro-tumor activity by regulating a number of signaling pathways, which increase cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, studies have shown that MDK also functions as a molecule that regulates drug resistance. Several cancer therapy techniques have been suggested to modify MDK function, including antibody-based therapies, oligonucleotides, oncolytic viruses, and small compounds. Further research and experimentation will be required to establish the therapeutic relevance and efficacy of these treatments. This review focuses on the role of MDK in cancer biology, as well as its multiple different roles in health and disease processes.
Insights
Midkine (MDK) is a protein involved in physiological and pathological processes. This review explores MDK's role in cancer, neurological diseases, and inflammation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Midkine (MDK) is a pleiotropic protein implicated in diverse physiological and pathological functions.
- MDK plays roles in development, tissue repair, neural plasticity, and disease processes like inflammation and ischemia.
- MDK is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, acting as a malignancy marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of Midkine (MDK) in cancer biology.
- To examine MDK's contribution to neurological diseases, inflammation, and ischemia.
- To discuss current and potential therapeutic strategies targeting MDK in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Midkine (MDK).
- Analysis of MDK's involvement in signaling pathways regulating cancer progression.
- Synthesis of information on MDK-targeting cancer therapies.
Main Results:
- MDK overexpression correlates with increased cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and treatment resistance.
- MDK influences pro-tumor activities through various signaling pathways.
- MDK also plays a role in regulating drug resistance in cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Midkine (MDK) is a significant factor in cancer progression and drug resistance.
- Targeting MDK through antibody-based therapies, oligonucleotides, viruses, or small compounds shows therapeutic promise.
- Further research is essential to validate the clinical efficacy of MDK-modulating treatments.
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