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Although the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors have been studied predominantly in the immune system, they are expressed in all tissues. This Review discusses the emerging roles of NFATs in cells that comprise the tumour and tumour microenvironment, and how this pathway might be targeted therapeutically.
The E2F transcription factors function in cell cycle control and are intimately regulated by RB. However, some tumours have concurrentRB1inactivation and E2F overexpression. Are there alternative tumour-promoting activities for the E2F family that are independent of cell cycle regulation?
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins help determine whether immune responses promote or inhibit tumours. Specifically, STAT3 increases tumour cell proliferation, survival and invasion and activates tumour-promoting inflammation, but also suppresses anti-tumour immune responses. STAT3 is therefore a promising target for cancer therapy.
The Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are transcriptional repressors that regulate lineage choices during development and differentiation and are often deregulated in cancer. How might they become deregulated and how does this contribute to tumorigenesis?