EphrinB2-EphB4 Signaling in Neurooncological Disease

EphrinB2-EphB4 signaling is critical during embryogenesis for cardiovascular formation and neuronal guidance. Intriguingly, critical expression patterns have been discovered in cancer pathologies over the last two decades. Multiple connections to tumor migration, growth, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metastasis have been identified in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular signaling pathways are manifold and signaling of the EphB4 receptor or the ephrinB2 ligand is cancer type specific. Here we explore the impact of these signaling pathways in neurooncological disease, including glioma, brain metastasis, and spinal bone metastasis. We identify potential downstream pathways that mediate cancer suppression or progression and seek to understand it ' s role in antiangiogenic therapy resistance in glioma. Despite the Janus-faced functions of ephrinB2-EphB4 signaling in cancer Eph signaling remains a promising clinical target.

Automated summary

EphrinB2-EphB4 signaling plays critical roles in embryogenesis and cancer pathologies. This signaling is involved in various cancer processes, such as migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis. However, the signaling pathways differ depending on the cancer type. This study explores the impact of these signaling pathways in neurooncological diseases, including glioma and brain metastasis, and seeks to understand their role in antiangiogenic therapy resistance, particularly in glioma.