NF-κB and STAT3 in glioblastoma: therapeutic targets coming of age

Expert Rev Neurother. 2014 Nov;14(11):1293-306. doi: 10.1586/14737175.2014.964211. Epub 2014 Sep 29.

Abstract

Since we last addressed the roles of NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 signaling in glioblastoma (GBM) 5 years ago, tremendous strides have been made in the understanding of these two pathways in glioma biology. Contributing to prosurvival mechanisms, cancer stem cell maintenance and treatment resistance, both NF-κB and STAT3 have been characterized as major drivers of GBM. In this review, we address general improvements in the molecular understanding of GBM, the structure of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling, the ways in which these pathways contribute to GBM and advances in preclinical and clinical targeting of these two signaling cascades.

Keywords: NF-κB; STAT3; glioblastoma; neurotherapeutics; signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor