Regulation of IKKβ by miR-199a affects NF-κB activity in ovarian cancer cells

Cancer progression is an abnormal form of tissue repair characterized by chronic inflammation. I kappa B kinase-beta (IKK beta) required for nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation plays a critical role in this process. Using EOC cells isolated from malignant ovarian cancer ascites and solid tumors, we identified IKKb as a major factor promoting a functional TLR-MyD88-NF-kappa B pathway that confers to EOC cell the capacity to constitutively secrete proinflammatory/protumor cytokines and therefore promoting tumor progression and chemoresistance. Furthermore, we describe for the first time the identification of the microRNA hsa-miR-199a as a regulator of IKK beta expression. Our study describes the property of ovarian cancer cells to enhance the inflammatory microenvironment as a result of the expression of an active IKKb pathway. Identification of these markers in patients' tumor samples may facilitate the adequate selection of treatment and open new venues for the development of effective therapy for chemoresistant ovarian cancers.