Functional role of MAPK signaling pathway in cancer cells
TL;DR
Light is shed in understanding the role of MAP kinases in the pathogenesis of cancer, considering their prominence as the potential targets for human cancer therapeutics.
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death on a global scale and in 2022, approximately 20 million cases were identified for the first time. 9.7 million deaths due to cancer were reported as per the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Cancer is a generic term given for a large group of diseases, as it can affect any part of the body. Several genetic and epigenetic alterations take place in cancer cells so that they deviate from normal metabolic processes. The underlying mechanisms of mutations, metastasis, migration and drug resistance highlight the urgent need for understanding the signaling triggers and key players involved in cancer pathogenesis. Mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) is the most prevalent signaling pathway that encompasses the RAS-RAFMEK-ERK signalling cascades. Kinases play a substantial role in the pathway by activating downstream targets. The MAPK pathway regulates numerous processes such as the cell cycle, cell growth and proliferation, cell differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis. Any dysregulation or alteration in such pathway could lead to the development and progression of cancers implicating resistance to apoptosis and resistance to medical therapeutics such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The potential role of altered MAPK pathway in cancers has been inadequately understood. The present review sheds light in understanding the role of MAP kinases in the pathogenesis of cancer, considering their prominence as the potential targets for human cancer therapeutics.