The stem cell factor (SCF)/c-KIT system in carcinogenesis of reproductive tissues: What does the hormonal regulation tell us?

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The stem cell factor (SCF)/c-KIT system in carcinogenesis of reproductive tissues: What does the hormonal regulation tell us?

Thursday, 08.03.2018

The stem cell factor (SCF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor c-KIT have been implicated in the carcinogenesis of male and female reproductive tissues. Also, several studies have reported that the tissue expression levels of SCF/c-KIT system, which is involved in the control of biological processes, such as apoptosis, cell survival, differentiation, and migration, is controlled by hormones. In this scenario, it is reasonable to question if deregulated hormone actions disturbing the SCF/c-KIT expression can be a relevant step towards carcinogenesis. A recent review published in Cancer Letters, of a research team of the Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), presented the overview of the SCF/c-KIT expression in male and female reproductive cancers, and discussed the role of the hormonal regulation of the SCF/c-KIT in cancer development and progression. The relationship between hormonal imbalance and the SCF/c-KIT expression and activity should be considered when envisaging new therapeutic approaches in reproductive cancers.

 

Authors and Affiliations:

Marília I. Figueira, Henrique J. Cardoso, Sara Correia, Cláudio J. Maia e Sílvia Socorro

CICS-UBI, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal

 

Abstract:

The tyrosine kinase receptor c-KIT and its ligand, the stem cell factor (SCF) are expressed in several tissues of male and female reproductive tract, playing an important role in the regulation of basic biological processes. The activation of c-KIT by SCF controls, cell survival and death, cell differentiation and migration. Also, the SCF/c-KIT system has been implicated in carcinogenesis of reproductive tissues due to its altered expression pattern or overactivation in consequence of gain-of-functions mutations. Over the years, it has also been shown that hormones, the primary regulators of reproductive function and causative agents in the case of hormone-dependent cancers, are also able to control the SCF/c-KIT tissue levels. Therefore, it is liable to suppose that disturbed SCF/c-KIT expression driven by (de)regulated hormone actions can be a relevant step towards carcinogenesis. The present review describes the SCF and c-KIT expression in cancers of reproductive tissues, discussing the implications of the hormonal regulation of the SCF/c-KIT system in cancer development. Understanding the relationship between hormonal imbalance and the SCF/c-KIT expression and activity would be relevant in the context of novel therapeutic approaches in reproductive cancers.

 

Journal: Cancer Letters

 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304383517304524?via%3Dihub