Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
Tetraspanins have only recently received attention as both metastasis suppressors and metastasis promoters. The ability of these proteins to collect a variety of molecules associated with tumour progression or tumour suppression in membrane microdomains might explain their multifaceted functions in metastasis.
Anti-angiogenic drugs have become part of the standard therapeutics used to treat cancer. Despite this milestone, anti-angiogenic therapy still faces a number of clinical hurdles. Will other agents with complementary mechanisms offer novel opportunities for improved treatment?
Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are well-known as key regulators of energy metabolism and growth and have important roles in neoplasia. This Review documents the various methods are being used to investigate novel cancer prevention and treatment strategies related to insulin and IGF signalling.
The disintegrin metalloproteinases of the Adam (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) family mediate proteolytic 'shedding' of membrane-associated proteins and hence rapidly modulate key cell signalling pathways in the tumour microenvironment. What is the biological and clinical relevance of the ADAMs?
Oncogenic alteration of the endocytic machinery is a hallmark of cancer. As reviewed here, these alterations can lead to changes in morphology, polarity, motility, adhesion and growth factor-activated signalling pathways.
Deregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is an established feature of tumours that develop in patients with von Hippel–Lindau disease, caused by inactivating germline mutations of theVHLtumour suppressor gene. However, HIF-independent activities of VHL also seem to be important for the pathogenesis of the disease.
Responses to hypoxia are orchestrated not only through activation of the hypoxia–inducible factor family of transcription factors (HIFs), but also through HIF–independent signalling pathways. How are these pathways integrated?
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors (TRAILR1 and TRAILR2) are promising targets for cancer therapy: both recombinant TRAIL and monoclonal antibodies that target these receptors have entered clinical trials. How are these agents faring? What are the current stumbling blocks?
The discovery that aberrant Hedgehog signalling can lead to the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has facilitated a remarkable increase in our understanding of BCC. How is this information being used to refine the treatment of this disease?
This Review assesses emerging data that indicate a specific role for the RB tumour suppressor pathway in the response of the haematopoietic system to oxidative stress, and discusses the relevance of these findings to future cancer therapies.
Recent data support an important role for the large Maf proteins in cancer. This Review discusses the contribution of large Maf family members to oncogenesis.
The evaluation of dietary factors for cancer prevention through observational epidemiology and experimentation by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has given inconsistent and sometimes opposing conclusions. Which study design is most appropriate?
In both preclinical and clinical settings, the benefits of angiogenesis inhibitors targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor signalling pathways are at best transitory and followed by restoration of tumour growth and progression. Emerging data support a proposition that two modes of unconventional resistance underlie such results.
Data from human and mouse tumours indicate that loss of the tumour suppressor gene retinoblastoma (RB) contributes to both cancer initiation and progression. However, there is much we still need to learn about RB function and the consequences of its loss.
Bone marrow-derived myeloid cells, such as macrophages and mast cells, have an important role in regulating the formation and maintenance of blood vessels in tumours. How do these cells contribute to this process?
The therapeutic benefit associated with VEGF-targeted therapy is complex, and probably involves multiple mechanisms, several of which are covered in this Review. Understanding these mechanisms more fully should lead to future advances in the use of these agents in the clinic.
The transcription factor MYB seems to have key roles as a regulator of epithelial stem and progenitor cells. Therefore,MYBis an oncogene that is involved in some human leukaemias, and could also be involved in epithelial cancers such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
Cellular senescence is associated with ageing and cancerin vivoand has a proven tumour suppressive function. This Review discusses the evidence indicating that DNA damage and the engagement of the DNA-damage response pathways are common to both ageing and cancer.
