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The IB kinase – a bridge between inflammation and cancer |
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A potential link between inflammation and cancer has been suspected for over a century, but the exact molecular mechanisms connecting the two remained nebulous. We proposed that NF- B transcription factors regulated via the IB kinase (IKK) complex play a critical role in coupling inflammation and cancer and have set out to test this hypothesis in mouse models of cancer. Using mice bearing mutations in the genes coding for the IKK and IKK catalytic subunits we obtained evidence supporting a critical role for IKK in tumor promotion and more recently identified the involvement of IKK in metastatogenesis. Whereas the major pro-tumorigenic function of IKK is mediated via NF-B, the pro-metastatic function of IKK is NF-B-independent. In addition to illustrating the critical roles of the two IKK molecules in linking inflammation and cancer and providing an explanation for increased cancer risk in response to persistent infections and inflammation, these results also identify new targets for development of novel anti-cancer therapies and preventive strategies. Instead of targeting the cancer cell itself, as done by conventional anti-cancer drugs, the new therapeutics will target processes that occur within inflammatory cells that are essential for cancer development and progression. Unlike cancer cells, inflammatory cells retain a normal and stable genome and therefore are unlikely to become genetically resistant to therapeutic intervention. Michael Karin: Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0723, La Jolla, CA 92093-0723, USA Correspondence: Michael Karin Tel: +1-858-534-1361; fax: +1-858-534-8158 |
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Transplantation: It may take two to tango and to treat |
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Although multidrug immunosuppressive protocols have significantly increased short-term graft survival rates, chronic rejection still remains the major cause of long-term transplantation failure. A recent study in Nature Medicine by Liu et al.1 provides important clues to achieving long-term survival of pancreas islet transplants. |
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NIH Holds First Symposium on Human Embryonic Stem Cells |
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 Scientists at the first NIH research symposium on recent progress and future promise of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) proved that, as in many things, timing and location are everything. Understanding the molecular and cellular processes that regulate normal human embryonic cell differentiation into multiple types of cells poses many challenges. Other challenges are embedded in understanding the unique capacity of these fledgling cells to be both pluripotent and indefinitely self-renewing. |
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Senator Clinton Calls for Expansion of Stem Cell Research |
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July 18, 2006 - Senator Clinton in remarks on the Senate floor called on Senators on both sides of the aisle and President Bush to support research that could lead to unparalleled advancements in research on Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and other conditions. |
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Animals Needed for Research Key Points |
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Animals and Medicine
From biotech-derived vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tests to the mapping of animal genomes, biotechnology has improved animal health along with human health care and promises to improve animal well-being in the future.
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