Forkhead box M1 transcription factor: a novel target for cancer therapy

Abstract

FoxM1 signaling has been reported to be associated with carcinogenesis. Therefore, the FoxM1 may represent a novel therapeutic target, and thus the development of agents that will target FoxM1 is likely to have significant therapeutic impact on human cancer. This review describes the mechanisms of signal transduction associated with FoxM1 and provides emerging evidence in support of its role in the carcinogenesis. Further, we summarize data on several FoxM1 inhibitors especially "chemopreventive agents" and these agents could be useful for targeted inactivation of FoxM1, which indeed could become a novel approach for the prevention and/or treatment of human cancer.

Keywords: FoxM1; cancer; cell signaling pathway; chemopreventive agents.

Figure-1

Diagram of FoxM1 cross-talking with other pathways. COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; ER: estrogen receptor; ERK: extracellular signal-regulated kinase; HIF1: hypoxia-inducible factor 1; MAPK: mitogen-activated proteinkinase; MMPs: matrix metalloproteinases; NF-κB: nuclear factor-κB; PI3K: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SHH: sonic hedgehog; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor.