CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution?
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cip1/Waf1/CDKN1A/p21) is a well-established protein, primarily recognised for its pivotal role in the cell cycle, where it induces cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Over the years, extensive research has shed light...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17488 |
| _version_ | 1797380700519792640 |
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| author | Evangelos Manousakis Clàudia Martinez Miralles Maria Guimerà Esquerda Roni H. G. Wright |
| author_facet | Evangelos Manousakis Clàudia Martinez Miralles Maria Guimerà Esquerda Roni H. G. Wright |
| author_sort | Evangelos Manousakis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cip1/Waf1/CDKN1A/p21) is a well-established protein, primarily recognised for its pivotal role in the cell cycle, where it induces cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Over the years, extensive research has shed light on various additional mechanisms involving CDKN1A/p21, implicating it in processes such as apoptosis, DNA damage response (DDR), and the regulation of stem cell fate. Interestingly, p21 can function either as an oncogene or as a tumour suppressor in these contexts. Complicating matters further, the expression of CDKN1A/p21 is elevated in certain tumour types while downregulated in others. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview of the multifaceted functions of CDKN1A/p21, present clinical data pertaining to cancer patients, and delve into potential strategies for targeting CDKN1A/p21 as a therapeutic approach to cancer. Manipulating CDKN1A/p21 shows great promise for therapy given its involvement in multiple cancer hallmarks, such as sustained cell proliferation, the renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs), epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and resistance to chemotherapy. Given the dual role of CDKN1A/p21 in these processes, a more in-depth understanding of its specific mechanisms of action and its regulatory network is imperative to establishing successful therapeutic interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:40:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-789b55472ed948a1b17223da92267db7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:40:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-789b55472ed948a1b17223da92267db72023-12-22T14:14:45ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-12-0124241748810.3390/ijms242417488CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution?Evangelos Manousakis0Clàudia Martinez Miralles1Maria Guimerà Esquerda2Roni H. G. Wright3Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, SpainBasic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, SpainBasic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, SpainBasic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, SpainCyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cip1/Waf1/CDKN1A/p21) is a well-established protein, primarily recognised for its pivotal role in the cell cycle, where it induces cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Over the years, extensive research has shed light on various additional mechanisms involving CDKN1A/p21, implicating it in processes such as apoptosis, DNA damage response (DDR), and the regulation of stem cell fate. Interestingly, p21 can function either as an oncogene or as a tumour suppressor in these contexts. Complicating matters further, the expression of CDKN1A/p21 is elevated in certain tumour types while downregulated in others. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview of the multifaceted functions of CDKN1A/p21, present clinical data pertaining to cancer patients, and delve into potential strategies for targeting CDKN1A/p21 as a therapeutic approach to cancer. Manipulating CDKN1A/p21 shows great promise for therapy given its involvement in multiple cancer hallmarks, such as sustained cell proliferation, the renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs), epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and resistance to chemotherapy. Given the dual role of CDKN1A/p21 in these processes, a more in-depth understanding of its specific mechanisms of action and its regulatory network is imperative to establishing successful therapeutic interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17488p21CDKN1Acyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1Abreast cancercell cyclecancer stem cells |
| spellingShingle | Evangelos Manousakis Clàudia Martinez Miralles Maria Guimerà Esquerda Roni H. G. Wright CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? International Journal of Molecular Sciences p21 CDKN1A cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A breast cancer cell cycle cancer stem cells |
| title | CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? |
| title_full | CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? |
| title_fullStr | CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? |
| title_full_unstemmed | CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? |
| title_short | CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? |
| title_sort | cdkn1a p21 in breast cancer part of the problem or part of the solution |
| topic | p21 CDKN1A cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A breast cancer cell cycle cancer stem cells |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17488 |
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