Notch信号通路和神经内分泌肿瘤

Notch信号通路既简单又复杂,表达于多个物种且高度保守.在不同的细胞类型中,Notch信号通路可促进或抑制细胞增殖、分化和凋亡.Notch信号通路与肿瘤的关系比较复杂,既可以作为癌基因,也可以作为抑癌基因,它的作用与细胞类型有关.在神经内分泌肿瘤(NETs)如类癌、小细胞肺癌(SCLC)和甲状腺髓样癌(MTC)中Notch信号通路失活,若激活Notch信号通路可抑制肿瘤细胞生长、减少NETs标志物,证明Notch信号通路在NETs中发挥肿瘤抑制作用.因此,Notch信号通路激活剂可能会成为NETs患者的一个潜在治疗药物.

Notch signaling pathway and neuroendocrine tumors

Notch signaling pathway,presenting in diverse organisms and highly conserved,is not only simple but also complex.In different cells,Notch signaling pathway can promote or inhibit cell proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.The relation between Notch signaling pathway and tumors is complex.Contradictory findings of Notch signaling pathway acting as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor revealed that its role is very specific to the cellular context.Notch signaling pathway is absent in neuroendocrine tumors(NETs)such as carcinoid,small cell lung cancer(SCLC)and medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC).The activation of Notch in these tumors significantly reduces tumor growth and NETs markers.It indicates that Notch signaling pathway suppresses the development of NETs.Therefore,identification of compound(s)that activate the Notch signaling pathway in NETs could be a potential strategy to treat patients with NETs.