NF-κB as a potential molecular target for cancer therapy

Nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), a transcription factor, plays an important role in carcinogenesis as well as in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. NF‐κB induces the expression of diverse target genes that promote cell proliferation, regulate apoptosis, facilitate angiogenesis and stimulate invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, many cancer cells show aberrant or constitutive NF‐κB activation which mediates resistance to chemo‐ and radio‐therapy. Therefore, the inhibition of NF‐κB activation and its signaling pathway offers a potential cancer therapy strategy. In addition, recent studies have shown that NF‐κB can also play a tumor suppressor role in certain settings. In this review, we focus on the role of NF‐κB in carcinogenesis and the therapeutic potential of targeting NF‐κB in cancer therapy.