Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-30-2024
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have diverse functions in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in development, tissue maintenance, wound repair, and angiogenesis. The goal of this review paper is to (i) deliberate on the role of FGFs and FGF receptors (FGFRs) in different cancers, (ii) present advances in FGF-targeted cancer therapies, and (iii) explore cell signaling mechanisms that explain how FGF expression becomes dysregulated during cancer development. FGF is often mutated and overexpressed in cancer and the different FGF and FGFR isoforms have unique expression patterns and distinct roles in different cancers. Among the FGF members, the FGF 15/19 subfamily is particularly interesting because of its unique protein structure and role in endocrine function. The abnormal expression of FGFs in different cancer types (breast, colorectal, hepatobiliary, bronchogenic, and others) is examined and correlated with patient prognosis. The classification of FGF ligands based on their mode of action, whether autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, or intracrine, is illustrated, and an analysis of the binding specificity of FGFs to FGFRs is also provided. Moreover, the latest advances in cancer therapeutic strategies involving small molecules, ligand traps, and monoclonal antibody-based FGF inhibitors are presented. Lastly, we discuss how the dysregulation of FGF and FGFR expression affects FGF signaling and its role in cancer development.
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Anh; Facey, Caroline; and Boman, Bruce, "The Complexity and Significance of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Signaling for FGF-Targeted Cancer Therapies" (2024). Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers. Paper 158.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/petfp/158
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
PubMed ID
39796710
Included in
Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins Commons, Biological Factors Commons, Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Chemical Actions and Uses Commons, Neoplasms Commons, Therapeutics Commons
Comments
This article is the author's final published version in Cancers, Volume 17, Issue 1, 2025, Article number 82.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17010082.
Copyright © 2024 by the authors