The Role of the Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21<sup>cip1/waf1</sup> in Targeting Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutics

p21<b><sup>cip1/waf1</sup></b> mediates various biological activities by sensing and responding to multiple stimuli, via p53-dependent and independent pathways. p21 is known to act as a tumor suppressor mainly by inhibiting cell cycle progression and allowing DNA repair. Sign...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Samar Al Bitar, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
p21
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/11/10/1475
Description
Summary:p21<b><sup>cip1/waf1</sup></b> mediates various biological activities by sensing and responding to multiple stimuli, via p53-dependent and independent pathways. p21 is known to act as a tumor suppressor mainly by inhibiting cell cycle progression and allowing DNA repair. Significant advances have been made in elucidating the potential role of p21 in promoting tumorigenesis. Here, we discuss the involvement of p21 in multiple signaling pathways, its dual role in cancer, and the importance of understanding its paradoxical functions for effectively designing therapeutic strategies that could selectively inhibit its oncogenic activities, override resistance to therapy and yet preserve its tumor suppressive functions.
ISSN:2072-6694