Open Access

Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Montserrat Zaragoza‑Ojeda
    • Elisa Apatiga‑Vega
    • Francisco Arenas‑Huertero
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 11, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12721
  • Article Number: 460
  • Copyright: © Zaragoza‑Ojeda et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand‑­activated transcription factor, whose canonical pathway mainly regulates the genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. However, it can also regulate several responses in a non‑­canonical manner, such as proliferation, differentiation, cell death and cell adhesion. AhR plays an important role in central nervous system tumors, as it can regulate several cellular responses via different pathways. The polymorphisms of the AHR gene have been associated with the development of gliomas. In addition, the metabolism of tumor cells promotes tumor growth, particularly in tryptophan synthesis, where some metabolites, such as kynurenine, can activate the AhR pathway, triggering cell proliferation in astrocytomas, medulloblastomas and glioblastomas. Furthermore, as part of the changes in neuroblastomas, AHR is able to downregulate the expression of proto‑oncogene c‑Myc, induce differentiation in tumor cells, and cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Collectively, these data suggested that the modulation of the AhR pathway may downregulate tumor growth, providing a novel strategy for applications for the treatment of certain tumors through the control of the AhR pathway.
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June-2021
Volume 21 Issue 6

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Spandidos Publications style
Zaragoza‑Ojeda M, Apatiga‑Vega E and Arenas‑Huertero F: Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications (Review). Oncol Lett 21: 460, 2021
APA
Zaragoza‑Ojeda, M., Apatiga‑Vega, E., & Arenas‑Huertero, F. (2021). Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications (Review). Oncology Letters, 21, 460. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12721
MLA
Zaragoza‑Ojeda, M., Apatiga‑Vega, E., Arenas‑Huertero, F."Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications (Review)". Oncology Letters 21.6 (2021): 460.
Chicago
Zaragoza‑Ojeda, M., Apatiga‑Vega, E., Arenas‑Huertero, F."Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications (Review)". Oncology Letters 21, no. 6 (2021): 460. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12721