The role of STAT3 in glioblastoma progression through dual influences on tumor cells and the immune microenvironment

Publication date: 15 August 2017
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Volume 451
Author(s): Nakho Chang, Sun Hee Ahn, Doo-Sik Kong, Hye Won Lee, Do-Hyun Nam
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of cancer that begins within the brain; generally, the patient has a dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical mediator of tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and suppression of anti-tumor immunity in GBM. In a high percentage of GBM cells and tumor microenvironments, persistent activation of STAT3 induces cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, glioma stem cell maintenance, tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. This makes STAT3 an attractive therapeutic target and a prognostic indicator in GBM. Targeting STAT3 affords an opportunity to disrupt multiple pro-oncogenic pathways at a single molecular hub. Unfortunately, there are no successful STAT3 inhibitors currently in clinical trials. However, strong clinical evidence implicating STAT3 as a major factor in GBM justifies the identification of safe and effective strategies for inhibiting STAT3.



http://ift.tt/2t58NUf