Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13(7):815-827. doi:10.7150/ijbs.20052 This issue Cite

Review

FOXO Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer

Mohd Farhan1, Haitao Wang2, Uma Gaur1, Peter J. Little3, Jiangping Xu2, Wenhua Zheng1✉

1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China;
2. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China;
3. School of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102 Australia and Xin Hua College, Sun Yat- Sen University, China.

Citation:
Farhan M, Wang H, Gaur U, Little PJ, Xu J, Zheng W. FOXO Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13(7):815-827. doi:10.7150/ijbs.20052. https://www.ijbs.com/v13p0815.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Many transcription factors play a key role in cellular differentiation and the delineation of cell phenotype. Transcription factors are regulated by phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation/deacetylation and interactions between two or more proteins controlling multiple signaling pathways. These pathways regulate different physiological processes and pathological events, such as cancer and other diseases. The Forkhead box O (FOXO) is one subfamily of the fork head transcription factor family with important roles in cell fate decisions and this subfamily is also suggested to play a pivotal functional role as a tumor suppressor in a wide range of cancers. During apoptosis, FOXOs are involved in mitochondria-dependent and -independent processes triggering the expression of death receptor ligands like Fas ligand, TNF apoptosis ligand and Bcl‑XL, bNIP3, Bim from Bcl-2 family members. Different types of growth factors like insulin play a vital role in the regulation of FOXOs. The most important pathway interacting with FOXO in different types of cancers is the PI3K/AKT pathway. Some other important pathways such as the Ras-MEK-ERK, IKK and AMPK pathways are also associated with FOXOs in tumorigenesis. Therapeutically targeting the FOXO signaling pathway(s) could lead to the discovery and development of efficacious agents against some cancers, but this requires an enhanced understanding and knowledge of FOXO transcription factors and their regulation and functioning. This review focused on the current understanding of cell biology of FOXO transcription factors which relates to their potential role as targets for the treatment and prevention of human cancers. We also discuss drugs which are currently being used for cancer treatment along with their target pathways and also point out some potential drawbacks of those drugs, which further signifies the need for development of new drug strategies in the field of cancer treatment.

Keywords: Apoptosis, nuclear translocation, FOXO, cell proliferation, anticancer drugs, transcription factors.


Citation styles

APA
Farhan, M., Wang, H., Gaur, U., Little, P.J., Xu, J., Zheng, W. (2017). FOXO Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 13(7), 815-827. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.20052.

ACS
Farhan, M.; Wang, H.; Gaur, U.; Little, P.J.; Xu, J.; Zheng, W. FOXO Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2017, 13 (7), 815-827. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.20052.

NLM
Farhan M, Wang H, Gaur U, Little PJ, Xu J, Zheng W. FOXO Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13(7):815-827. doi:10.7150/ijbs.20052. https://www.ijbs.com/v13p0815.htm

CSE
Farhan M, Wang H, Gaur U, Little PJ, Xu J, Zheng W. 2017. FOXO Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci. 13(7):815-827.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). See http://ivyspring.com/terms for full terms and conditions.
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