Investigational therapies targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 for the treatment of cancer
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates the expression of a variety of genes in response to cell stimuli and thus plays a key role in several cellular processes such as cell growth and apoptosis. Deregulation of the STAT3 activity has been shown in many malignancies, including breast, head and neck, prostate, pancreas, ovarian and brain cancers and melanoma. Thus, STAT3 may represent an ideal target for cancer therapy. The authors review recent data on the role of STAT3 in tumor initiation and progression, as well as the ongoing clinical trials in cancer patients. The content includes information derived from trial databases, regulatory authorities and scientific literature. Targeting STAT3 activation leads to the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo without affecting normal cells; this suggests that STAT3 could be a valid molecular target for cancer therapy. Extensive clinical research is trying to find anti-STAT3 agents with high single-agent activity. The identification and development of novel drugs that can target deregulated STAT3 activation effectively is both a scientific and clinical challenge that needs to be addressed in the near future.
References
Inhibition of constitutively active Stat3 suppresses growth of human ovarian and breast cancer cells
Citations
Prognostic roles of signal transducers and activators of transcription family in human breast cancer
Cystathionine- γ-lyase promotes process of breast cancer in association with STAT3 signaling pathway
Impact of HER2 assessment by CISH in urothelial carcinoma: A retrospective single-center experience.
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