Title:Survivin as a Prognostic/Predictive Marker and Molecular Target in Cancer Therapy
Volume: 19
Issue: 22
Author(s): F. Rodel, T. Sprenger, B. Kaina, T. Liersch, C. Rodel, S. Fulda and S. Hehlgans
Affiliation:
Keywords:
IAP, Survivin, prognostic/predictive marker, cancer therapy
Abstract: Evasion from apoptotic cell death is reported to be a pivotal mechanism by which tumor cells acquire resistance to therapeutic
treatment. Targeting the apoptotic pathways may constitute a promising strategy to counteract therapy resistance and to re-sensitize
cancer cells. Expression of survivin, the smallest and structurally unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, has
been shown to be associated with poor clinical outcome, more aggressive clinicopathologic features and resistance to both, conventional
chemo and radiation therapy. Moreover, survivin detection in cancer tissue, in circulating tumor cells and in patient’s serum has
prognostic and predictive relevance and may display a prerequisite for marker based molecular therapies. Indeed, due to its universal over
expression in malignant tissue, and its prominent role at disparate networks of cellular division, intracellular signaling, apoptosis and
adaption to unfavorable surroundings, survivin has been shown to be a suitable target for a targeted therapy. The applicability of survivindriven
strategies in clinical practice is currently under investigation as the first survivin antagonists (small molecule inhibitors, antisense
oligonucleotides and immunotherapy) successfully entered phase I/II trials. Taken together, these data provide a rationale for the
implementation of both, survivin as a molecular diagnostic tool and survivin targeted therapies, within future clinical practice.