Weiqiang Zhou, Shanchun Guo*, Mingli Liu, Matthew E. Burow and Guangdi Wang* Pages 3026 - 3041 ( 16 )
Chemokines, which have chemotactic abilities, are comprised of a family of small cytokines with 8-10 kilodaltons. Chemokines work in immune cells by trafficking and regulating cell proliferation, migration, activation, differentiation, and homing. CXCR-4 is an alpha-chemokine receptor specific for stromal-derived-factor-1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12), which has been found to be expressed in more than 23 different types of cancers. Recently, the SDF-1/CXCR-4 signaling pathway has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for human tumor because of its critical role in tumor initiation and progression by activating multiple signaling pathways, such as ERK1/2, ras, p38 MAPK, PLC/ MAPK, and SAPK/ JNK, as well as regulating cancer stem cells. CXCL12/CXCR4 antagonists have been produced, which have shown encouraging results in anti-cancer activity. Here, we provide a brief overview of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis as a molecular target for cancer treatment. We also review the potential utility of targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in combination of immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy based on up-to-date literature and ongoing research progress.
Cancer, cancer stem cell, immunotherapy, CXCR4, CXCL12, chemokine, kilodaltons.
Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Microecology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Medical College, No.146 North Huanghe St, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110034, RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125