The role of the NFκB signalling pathway in cancer

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) signalling pathway regulates the expression of hundreds of genes that are involved in different cellular processes such as cell proliferation, survival, stress responses, cellular immunity and inflammation. Its aberrant regulation is involved in several pathologies, but its relevance in cellular transformation and cancer development has been extensively studied. Mutations in the core components of NF kappa B as well as in the cellular machinery that regulates its activation have been found in many types of tumours. On the other hand, its role in promoting cell survival is an important obstacle in many cancer therapies. The development of chemical inhibitors that block NF kappa B activation acting either directly on IKKs or on the proteosome machinery has shown antitumour and proapoptotic activity both in preclinical and clinical studies.