Abstract

Over the past few decades, biologists have identified key molecular signatures associated with a wide range of human cancers. Recently, animal models have been particularly useful in establishing whether such signatures have functional relevance; the overexpression of pro-oncogenic or loss of anti-oncogenic factors have been evaluated for their effects on various tumour models. The aim of this review is to analyze the potential role of the inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins in cancer and examine whether deregulated Id activity is tumorigenic and contributes to hallmarks of malignancy, such as loss of differentiation (anaplasia), unrestricted proliferation and neoangiogenesis.

Author affiliations

1. Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue Box 241, New York 10021,USA.
2. Department of Pathology and Department of Neurology, Institute for Cancer Genetics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1150 St Nicholas Avenue, New York 10032, USA.

Correspondence to: Robert Benezra¹ Email: r-benezra@ski.mskcc.org

Published online 20 July 2005

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