Journal
ONCOLOGY LETTERS
Volume 20, Issue 2, Pages 993-1000Publisher
SPANDIDOS PUBL LTD
DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11684
Keywords
ionizing radiation; cancer; extracellular signal-regulated kinase; radiosensitivity; pro-survival; pro-death
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [81703034]
- Project of Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province [20190103089JH, 20190303151SF]
- Project of Bethune Plan Research of Jilin University [20181336]
- Project of Health and Family Planning Commission of Jilin Province [2014ZC054]
- Bethune Special Research of Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province [20160101079JC]
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Ionizing radiation (IR) is an important cancer treatment approach. However, radioresistance eventually occurs, resulting in poor outcomes in patients with cancer. Radioresistance is associated with multiple signaling pathways, particularly pro-survival signaling pathways. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade is an important signaling pathway that initiates several cellular processes and is regulated by various stimuli, including IR. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the pro-survival effects of active ERK, activation of ERK has also been associated with cell death, indicating that radiosensitization may occur by ERK stimulation. In this context, the present review describes the associations between ERK signaling, cancer and IR, and discusses the association between ERK and its pro-survival function in cancer cells, including stimuli, molecular mechanisms, clinical use of inhibitors and underlying limitations. Additionally, the present review introduces the view that active ERK may induce cell death, and describes the potential factors associated with this process. This review describes the various outcomes induced by active ERK to prompt future studies to aim to enhance radiosensitivity in the treatment of cancer.
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