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Apelin/APJ: Another Player in the Cancer Biology Network

Laura Naldi1,2, Alessandro Peri1,2, Benedetta Fibbi1,2

  • 1"Pituitary Diseases and Sodium Alterations" Unit, AOU Careggi, 50139 Florence, Italy.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The apelin/APJ system fuels cancer growth and spread by impacting key cancer hallmarks. Targeting this pathway may improve cancer treatments and diagnostics.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The apelinergic system, involving apelin and its receptor APJ, plays a role in human diseases, including cancer.
  • Overactivation of the apelin/APJ pathway is observed in many malignant tumors and correlates with patient survival.
  • The apelin gene is suggested to function as an oncogene due to its role in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on intracellular processes regulated by the apelin/APJ pathway in cancer.
  • To focus on pathways linked to tumor development, progression, and hallmarks of cancer.
  • To explore the potential of the apelin/APJ axis as a therapeutic and diagnostic target in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on the apelinergic system in cancer.
  • Analysis of intracellular signaling pathways affected by apelin/APJ.
  • Examination of the association between apelin/APJ activity and cancer hallmarks.
  • Investigation of apelin/APJ's role in cancer treatment resistance.

Main Results:

  • Apelin/APJ signaling influences multiple cancer hallmarks, including proliferation, apoptosis resistance, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, metabolism, immune evasion, inflammation, and immortality.
  • The apelin/APJ axis is implicated in cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation.
  • Evidence suggests apelin/APJ contributes to tumor development and progression.

Conclusions:

  • The apelin/APJ pathway is a significant factor in cancer biology, affecting numerous hallmarks of cancer.
  • Targeting the apelin/APJ axis presents a promising strategy to enhance conventional cancer therapies.
  • The apelin/APJ system holds potential for developing novel diagnostic and prognostic tools in cancer care.
Keywords:
APJapelincancerchemoresistancehallmarks of cancer

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