Advances in research on Notch signaling pathway and digestive system tumors / 肿瘤

ABSTRACT

As a highly conserved genetic evolution of the interaction pathway between neighboring cells, Notch signaling plays an important role in normal cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis, and is also related to the development of many tumors. The expression of Notch-1 decreases in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, while the result is contrary in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Besides, the expression of Notch signaling in a high level promotes the formation of gastric function, which predicts the risk of gastric cancer. Notch-1 expression in colon cancer is positively correlated with tumor grade, lymph node metastasis and poor overall survival of patients. Additionally, Notch ligand Dll-4 is capable of promoting colon cancer angiogenesis which contributes to distant metastasis and invasion of cancer cells. However, Notch-2 may inhibit the growth of colon cancer. In summary, although Notch signaling has mostly been associated with oncogenic and growth-promoting roles, it can also function as a tumor suppressor inducing cell differentiation and inhibiting proliferation of tumor cells, showing two diametrically opposite effects in development of cancer depending on tumor type. Applying γ-secretase inhibitors, small interfering RNAs and monoclonal antibodies to blocking Notch signaling pathway will be a new direction for the therapy of tumors. Copyright© 2012 by TUMOR.