AXL receptor tyrosine kinase as a promising anti-cancer approach: functions, molecular mechanisms and clinical applications.

Abstract

Molecular targeted therapy for cancer has been a research hotspot for decades. AXL is a member of the TAM family with the high-affinity ligand growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6). The Gas6/AXL signalling pathway is associated with tumour cell growth, metastasis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, drug resistance, immune regulation and stem cell maintenance. Different therapeutic agents targeting AXL have been developed, typically including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), nucleotide aptamers, soluble receptors, and several natural compounds. In this review, we first provide a comprehensive discussion of the structure, function, regulation, and signalling pathways of AXL. Then, we highlight recent strategies for targeting AXL in the treatment of cancer.AXL-targeted drugs, either as single agents or in combination with conventional chemotherapy or other small molecule inhibitors, are likely to improve the survival of many patients. However, future investigations into AXL molecular signalling networks and robust predictive biomarkers are warranted to select patients who could receive clinical benefit and to avoid potential toxicities.

• Authors: Chenjing Zhu, Yuquan Wei, Xiawei Wei
• Journal: Molecular cancer (Mol Cancer) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 153 (11 04 2019) ISSN: 1476-4598 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31684958 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• growth arrest-specific protein 6
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
• Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
• AXL protein, human

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic (genetics, metabolism)
• Disease Progression
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism, pathology)
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, metabolism)
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase