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Runt-related transcription factors in human carcinogenesis: a friend or foe?

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  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Cancer is one of the deadliest pathologies with more than 19 million new cases and 10 million cancer-related deaths across the globe. Despite development of advanced therapeutic interventions, cancer remains as a fatal pathology due to lack of early prognostic biomarkers, therapy resistance and requires identification of novel drug targets.

Methods

Runt-related transcription factors (Runx) family controls several cellular and physiological functions including osteogenesis. Recent literatures from PubMed was mined and the review was written in comprehensive manner

Results

Recent literature suggests that aberrant expression of Runx contributes to tumorigenesis of many organs. Conversely, cell- and tissue-specific tumor suppressor roles of Runx are also reported. In this review, we have provided the structural/functional properties of Runx isoforms and its regulation in context of human cancer. Moreover, in an urgent need to discover novel therapeutic interventions against cancer, we comprehensively discussed the reported oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of Runx isoforms in several tumor types and discussed the discrepancies that may have risen on Runx as a driver of malignant transformation.

Conclusion

Runx may be a novel therapeutic target against a battery of deadly human cancers.

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Data availability

All data are available with the PI and can be shared upon valid request.

Abbreviations

Runx:

Runt-related transcription factors

CBF:

Core binding factors

RHD:

Runt homology domain

TDA:

Transactivation domain

ID:

Inhibitory domain

EMT:

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

BMP:

Bone morphogenic protein

AML:

Acute myeloid leukemia

OPN:

Osteopontin

OCN:

Osteocalcin

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

TNBC:

Triple-negative breast cancer

PDA:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

NSCLC:

Non-small cell lung carcinoma

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ramalingaswami Re-entry fellowship Grant (BT/HRD/35/02/2006), Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India to AR.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ramalingaswami Re-entry fellowship Grant (BT/HRD/35/02/2006), Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India to AR.

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  1. Shivi Chauhan, Sujata Bhattacharya and Vibhuti Jakhmola these authors have contributed equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India

    Adhiraj Roy, Shivi Chauhan, Sujata Bhattacharya, Vibhuti Jakhmola, Komal Tyagi, Abha Sachdeva & Abdul Wasai

  2. Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India

    Supratim Mandal

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AR conceptualized, prepared and supervised the manuscript and figures. SC, SB and VJ wrote the manuscript. KT, AS, AW and SM critically reviewed and edited the manuscript. AR prepared the final draft of the manuscript. All authors have reviwed and approved the final draft of the manuscript. All authors confirm that no conflict of interest remains.

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Roy, A., Chauhan, S., Bhattacharya, S. et al. Runt-related transcription factors in human carcinogenesis: a friend or foe?. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 149, 9409–9423 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-023-04769-0

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