TITLE:
STAT3 Signaling in Cancer
AUTHORS:
Ioannis Gkouveris, Nikolaos Nikitakis, John Sauk
KEYWORDS:
STAT3, Signaling, Cancer, Dual Role, Tyrosine and Serine Phosphorylation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.6 No.8,
August
10,
2015
ABSTRACT: In recent years, signal transducers
and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins have been recognized as cytoplasmic
transcription factors that mediate extracellular signaling to the nucleus controlling
fundamental functions, such as cell
proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, immune responses and angiogenesis. Among
them, STAT3 is a major player, aberrant activation of which is involved in several
diseases, including cancer. Among other upstream regulators, IL-6/Jak signaling
can activate STAT3 and its role appears to be critical in various types of cancer.
Although STAT3 has been traditionally recognized as amoncogene, more recently the
dual role of STAT3 in cancer, either tumor inductive or suppressive, has been appreciated.
The importance and differential effect of STAT3 on tyrosine or serine residues are
also a matter of continuing debate. Interestingly, recent findings suggesting that
STAT3 plays an important role in cancer stem cell regulation have gained significant
attention. This review summarizes current literature focusing on the significance
of STAT3 in several diseases as well as in cancer. Understanding the complexity
of STAT3 function has the potential to elucidate important molecular aspects of
cancer with significant therapeutic implications.