Targeting MDM4 as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Hematologic Malignancies

Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2015;15(9):769-80. doi: 10.2174/156800961509151110124616.

Abstract

Mouse double minute 4 (MDM4) as a member of MDM family, is an oncogene emerging as an imperative negative regulator of p53. Tumor suppressor protein p53 plays a crucial role in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and homeostasis. It has been reported that frequent inactivation of p53 was observed in numerous human cancers including hematologic malignancies. MDM4, the newly discovered modulator of p53 protein, is frequently amplified in various solid tumors such as cutaneous melanoma, retinoblastoma and hematological malignances such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. Multiple evidences implicate that over-expression of MDM4 is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis which can be reversed by knockdown of MDM4 expression or restoration of p53 function, and support the rationale for the design of future MDM4-specific therapeutics. This article discusses and focuses on using MDM4 as a novel biomarker as well as a therapeutic target for hematologic malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / biosynthesis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Mdm4 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases