Fascin in Gynecological Cancers: An Update of the Literature

Abstract

Fascin is an actin-binding protein that is encoded by the FSCN1 gene (located on chromosome 7). It triggers membrane projections and stimulates cell motility in cancer cells. Fascin overexpression has been described in different types of human cancers in which its expression correlated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of fascin was found in oncovirus-infected cells, such as human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), disrupting the cell-cell adhesion and enhancing cancer progression. Based on these findings, several studies reported fascin as a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target in various cancers. This review provides a brief overview of the FSCN1 role in various cancers with emphasis on gynecological malignancies. We also discuss fascin interactions with other genes and oncoviruses through which it might induce cancer development and progression.

Keywords: biomarker; cervical cancer; fascin; gynecological cancer; ovarian cancer.

Figure 1

Mechanisms of FSCN1 deregulation. Several factors, including EGFR, TGF-β, and interleukins, in addition to oncoviruses, trigger key pathways including CREB, ERK1/2, JNK, STAT3, PI3K, MAPK, and NF-κB to deregulate FSCN1 expression and stimulate underlying mechanisms for cancer progression.

Figure 2

Fascin expression in cervical cancer (A,B). A case of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: (A) hematoxylin and eosin slide (20×) with diffused and strong immunohistochemical expression of the fascin protein in cancer cells (B, 20×).