Oncogenic role of RUNX3 in head and neck cancer

Yasusei Kudo; Takaaki Tsunematsu; Takashi Takata

doi:10.1002/jcb.22967

Oncogenic role of RUNX3 in head and neck cancer

J Cell Biochem. 2011 Feb;112(2):387-93. doi: 10.1002/jcb.22967.

Authors

Yasusei Kudo¹, Takaaki Tsunematsu, Takashi Takata

Affiliation

¹ Division of Frontier Medical Science, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. ykudo@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

PMID: 21268058
DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22967

Abstract

Cumulative evidences show that Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) has a tumor suppressive role in various cancers. In particular, RUNX3 appears to be an important component of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced tumor suppression pathway. Contrary to reports on this tumor suppressive role of RUNX3, RUNX3 can also function as an oncogene when overexpressed. Recently, we found that RUNX3 overexpression was frequently observed and was well correlated with malignant behaviors in head and neck cancer, which is one of the most common types of human cancer. Moreover, it has been revealed that RUNX3 overexpression promoted cell growth and inhibited apoptosis in head and neck cancer cells. This review introduces the oncogenic role of RUNX3 in certain types of cancer including head and neck cancer.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / genetics
Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / metabolism*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
Humans
Models, Biological

Substances

Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit