The GDNF Family: A Role in Cancer?

The glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands (GFLs) comprising of GDNF, neurturin, artemin, and persephin plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the central and peripheral nervous system, renal morphogenesis, and spermatogenesis. Here we review our...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Graeme C. Fielder, Teresa Wen-Shan Yang, Mahalakshmi Razdan, Yan Li, Jun Lu, Jo K. Perry, Peter E. Lobie, Dong-Xu Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2018-01-01
Series:Neoplasia: An International Journal for Oncology Research
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1476558617304475
Description
Summary:The glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands (GFLs) comprising of GDNF, neurturin, artemin, and persephin plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the central and peripheral nervous system, renal morphogenesis, and spermatogenesis. Here we review our current understanding of GFL biology, and supported by recent progress in the area, we examine their emerging role in endocrine-related and other non–hormone-dependent solid neoplasms. The ability of GFLs to elicit actions that resemble those perturbed in an oncogenic phenotype, alongside mounting evidence of GFL involvement in tumor progression, presents novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
ISSN:1476-5586
1522-8002