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Updated: Sep 20, 2025

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Significance of Midkine Signaling in Women's Cancers: Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target

Emily J Aller1, Hareesh B Nair1,2, Ratna K Vadlamudi1,2,3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Midkine (MDK) is a protein involved in cancer growth and spread. This review highlights MDK as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for women's cancers, influenced by factors like obesity and estrogen.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Midkine (MDK) is an extracellular cytokine/growth factor.
  • MDK influences angiogenesis, antitumor immunity, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
  • MDK is overexpressed in various cancers, particularly those affecting women.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent literature on Midkine (MDK) signaling in women's cancer.
  • To evaluate MDK's potential as a biomarker for cancer progression.
  • To explore MDK as a therapeutic target in women's cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on MDK.
  • Analysis of MDK's role in cancer signaling pathways.
  • Examination of MDK's interaction with relevant receptors.

Main Results:

  • MDK activates key pathways (MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, STAT3) crucial for cancer cell survival and stemness.
  • Obesity and estrogen signaling elevate MDK levels, exacerbating women's cancer.
  • MDK interacts with receptors like integrins, PTPζ, ALK, and Notch2.

Conclusions:

  • MDK signaling is implicated in the development and progression of women's cancers.
  • MDK shows promise as a predictive biomarker for women's cancer.
  • Targeting MDK presents a potential therapeutic strategy for women's cancers.
Keywords:
MDKbiomarkerbreast cancerendometrial cancerovarian cancertumor microenvironmentwomen’s cancer

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