Exploring the complex role of the Eph/Ephrin signaling in oral and maxillofacial cancers

TL;DR

This review explores how the Eph/ephrin signaling pathway contributes to oral and maxillofacial cancers, highlighting its dual role and potential as a therapeutic target.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of Eph/ephrin signaling's ambiguous and context-dependent roles in oral and maxillofacial cancers.

Findings

Eph/ephrin signaling has both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic roles in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Some Eph/ephrin molecules are linked to worse prognosis in salivary gland cancers.

The review identifies potential therapeutic targets based on molecular discoveries in Eph/ephrin signaling.

Abstract

The Eph (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma) receptor family represents the largest subgroup within the tyrosine kinase receptor family and is recognized for its critical role in regulating the growth, migration, and survival of both normal and malignant cells. The Eph/ephrin signaling has an ambiguous role in squamous cell carcinomas of the oral region, playing both a suppressive and oncogenic role. In salivary gland cancers, the results are reserved, although they suggest that some molecules are associated with a worse prognosis for patients. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the existing literature, underscoring the evidence that supports the involvement of the Eph/ephrin signaling in oral and maxillofacial cancers. Additionally, we examine molecular discoveries that may present promising therapeutic targets for these malignancies.

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