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Nuclear factor-κB in cancer development and progression

Nature volume 441, pages 431–436 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors and the signalling pathways that activate them are central coordinators of innate and adaptive immune responses. More recently, it has become clear that NF-κB signalling also has a critical role in cancer development and progression. NF-κB provides a mechanistic link between inflammation and cancer, and is a major factor controlling the ability of both pre-neoplastic and malignant cells to resist apoptosis-based tumour-surveillance mechanisms. NF-κB might also regulate tumour angiogenesis and invasiveness, and the signalling pathways that mediate its activation provide attractive targets for new chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic approaches.

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Figure 1: NF-κB activation, and the interaction between inflammatory and malignant cells, can promote malignant conversion and progression.
Figure 2: Microbial pathogens and tissue necrosis lead to activation of NF-κB and other transcription factors in cells that express pattern-recognition receptors.
Figure 3: TNFR1 signalling controls cell survival and death by through an interplay between NF-κB and JNK.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093, California, USA

    Michael Karin

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Karin, M. Nuclear factor-κB in cancer development and progression. Nature 441, 431–436 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04870

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