EIF-4E, regulation of translation and tumor progression

During tumorigenesis, a number of various biological functions are modified . These functions are all implicated in the increase of cell proliferation and the acquisition of invasive properties. Of all the steps involved in tumor formation, the importance of translation al regulation has been highlighted by recent findings, and the eIF-4E facto r (eucaryotic initiation factor 4E) has been especially implicated. Overexp ression of eIF-4E induces malignant cell transformation and many cancer cel ls overexpress eIF-4E. eIF-4E appears to be a good marker of malignant cell transformation, and it s quantification in biopsies might be useful for prognosis, as well as for the control of the surgical margins after the resection of solid tumors. Since antagonists of eIF-4 induce reversion of transformed phenotypes, eIF- 4E represents an excellent target for cancer therapy. Targeted peptides cor responding to eIF-4E BPs (eIF-4E binding proteins), which are negative regu lators of eIF-4E activity, could prove useful for in vivo inhibition of tum or growth.