Breccia M, Alimena G. NF-κB as a potential therapeutic target in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia.
Expert Opin Ther Targets 2011;
14:1157-76. [PMID:
20858024 DOI:
10.1517/14728222.2010.522570]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD
The inactive NF-κB-inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) complex is activated by stimuli including pro-inflammatory cytokines, mitogens, growth factors and stress-inducing agents. The release of NF-κB facilitates its translocation to the nucleus, where it promotes cell survival by initiating transcription of genes encoding stress-response enzymes, cell-adhesion molecules, pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-apoptotic proteins. NF-κB and associated regulatory factors (IκB kinase subunits and bcl-3) are implicated in hematological and solid tumour malignancies. NF-κB appears to be involved in cell proliferation control, apoptosis control, angiogenesis promotion and possibly regulation of diffusion of metastases. There are several reports that inhibition of NF-κB as a therapeutic target may have a role in tumour cell death or growth inhibition.
AREA COVERED IN THIS REVIEW
We review data about inhibition of NF-κB in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We describe the molecular mechanisms underlying NF-κB deregulation in these haematological malignancies.
WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN
Constitutive activation of NF-κB in the nucleus has been reported in some varieties of MDS/AML. The in vitro and in vivo results of NF-κB inhibition in myeloid malignancies are highlighted.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
NF-κB selective inhibitory drugs may be useful, either as single agents or associated with conventional chemotherapy.
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