Role of the APRIL molecule in solid tumors

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2021 Oct:61:38-44. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.08.001. Epub 2021 Aug 19.

Abstract

The APRIL molecule, produced by immune cells, their precursors, and cancer cells, is one of the important factors that influences the process of survival and proliferation of cancer cells. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge on the effects of APRIL on human cancer development and develop a scheme demonstrating the mechanism of the action of APRIL on solid tumors. Understanding the effects of APRIL, including the intracellular signal transduction pathway, may be key for the use of this protein as a biomarker of the cancer process. The correlations observed between APRIL levels and cancer parameters (e.g., disease stage and presence of malignant phenotypes) indicate that APRIL may play an important role, not only in the diagnostic process, but also as a therapeutic target in various cancers.

Keywords: A Proliferation-inducing ligand; Cancer; TALL-2; TNFSF13.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13*

Substances

  • TNFSF13 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13