The immune response regulator IKBKE (serine/threonine kinase) plays two roles in tobacco-related non-small cell lung cancers, say researchers. Tobacco carcinogens induce IKBKE and, in turn, IKBKE induces chemotherapy resistance.
"IKBKE is a newly identified oconogene, a gene linked to cancer," said study lead author Jin Q. Cheng, Ph.D., M.D., who studies genetic alterations and their molecular mechanisms in cancer.
"In our study, we demonstrated that IKBKE is a STAT 3 target gene and is induced by tobacco. STAT3 is a signaling and transcription gene that is activated in various types of cancer and is required for cell transformation," he explained.
As a "transcription factor" STAT3 plays a key role in many cellular processes, such as cell growth and programmed cell death, or "apoptosis."
"It has been well documented that STAT3 is activated by growth factors and environmental carcinogenesis, such as nicotine," said Cheng.
"STAT3 directly binds to the IKBKE promoter and induces IKBKE transcription," he added.
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"IKBKE is induced by tobacco carcinogens and mediates tobacco action in promoting lung cancer cell survival. Armed with this knowledge, interventions targeting the IKBKE pathway could be developed," said Cheng.
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The study was published in a recent issue of Oncogene.
Source-ANI