FAK signaling in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma tumors

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor cytoplasmic-tyrosine kinase that is activated by several different cell surface receptors shown to be upregulated on glioblastoma cells (integrins alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5, and the epidermal growth factor receptor). Activated FAK can signal through several different signaling pathways, which are reviewed here. Published data are summarized that have demonstrated 1) elevated FAK expression in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma tumor biopsy samples, 2) a role for FAK in the promotion of glioblastoma cell proliferation, survival and migration in vitro, and 3) a role for FAK in the promotion of glioblastoma cell proliferation in vivo in an animal model. The available data suggests that increased levels of FAK protein and activity may contribute to an increased ERK activity and cell proliferation in vivo in these tumors.