GSK-3 as potential target for therapeutic intervention in cancer
ABSTRACT
The serine/threonine kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was initially identified and studied in the regulation of glycogen synthesis. GSK-3 functions in a wide range of cellular processes. Aberrant activity of GSK-3 has been implicated in many human pathologies including: bipolar depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and others. In some cases, suppression of GSK-3 activity by phosphorylation by Akt and other kinases has been associated with cancer progression. In these cases, GSK-3 has tumor suppressor functions. In other cases, GSK-3 has been associated with tumor progression by stabilizing components of the beta-catenin complex. In these situations, GSK-3 has oncogenic properties. While many inhibitors to GSK-3 have been developed, their use remains controversial because of the ambiguous role of GSK-3 in cancer development. In this review, we will focus on the diverse roles that GSK-3 plays in various human cancers, in particular in solid tumors. Recently, GSK-3 has also been implicated in the generation of cancer stem cells in various cell types. We will also discuss how this pivotal kinase interacts with multiple signaling pathways such as: PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTORC1, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, Wnt/beta-catenin, Hedgehog, Notch and others.https://www.oncotarget.com/article/2037/
When general population mention modern medicine, precision plays one of the most important roles and human lives are literally dependent on it. Likewise, any researches pertaining to medicine are required to meet the top standards. The issue today is that any conclusions of researches can be posted online and used as a reference without being properly verified and validated. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny of Oncotarget clearly understood this issue and tried to develop an alternative solution. That’s how a weekly oncology-focused research journal named “Oncotarget” has been established back in 2010. The key principle of this journal is based on Altmetric scores that are used as a quality indicator. That helps both readers and authors to quality-check publications with Altmetric Article Reports that create “real-time feedback containing data summary related to a particular publication.” Oncotarget website demonstrates a complete publications list with respective scores above 100 as well as reports mentioned previously. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny proud to share his new approach and hopes it provides the required assistance to anybody, who has interest in oncology.
“A diagnostic autoantibody signature for primary cutaneous melanoma” has the Altmetric score of 594. This paper was published back in 2018 by Oncotarget and completed by several experts from Hollywood Private Hospital, Edith Cowan University, Dermatology Specialist Group, St. John of God Hospital and The University of Western Australia. The introduction of the study mentions that “recent data shows that Australians are four times more likely to develop a cancer of the skin than any other type of cancer”, and shares an insight on melanoma that “is curable by surgical excision in the majority of cases, if detected at an early stage.”
The article has got an Altmetric score of 594. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny realizes that most of readers are willing to comprehend the very meaning of it. Based on the Altmetric website, the score relates to “how many people have been exposed to and engaged with a scholarly output.” Likewise, the paper about melanoma, was utilized for citations in different news articles 69 times. Besides that, it was referred to in 2 online blogs, as well as 25 Tweets on Twitter and 1 Facebook post. FOX23 of Tulsa, Oklahoma has headlined their report on July 20, 2018 as “New blood test could detect skin cancer early”, using the main content of Australia study
Another Oncotarget’s research with a top score of 476, is “Biomarkers for early diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma: Do we need another moon-shot,”. This article has appeared in 60 news stories, 1 online blog post and 6 Twitter posts. The majority of public may have seen a brief overview only, however those who visit Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny at Oncotarget, do receive helpful scientific facts. Oncotarget is glad to have the chance to share with online customers this highly appreciated and high-quality information, that is trustworthy and reliable.