The cautionary tale of side effects of chronic Notch1 inhibition

J Clin Invest. 2011 Feb;121(2):508-9. doi: 10.1172/JCI45976. Epub 2011 Jan 25.

Abstract

Aberrant Notch1 signaling is implicated in several types of cancer. Therefore, Notch signaling pathways are important anticancer targets. Pan-Notch receptor inhibition is associated with numerous complications; thus, selective Notch receptor inhibition has been pursued. Studies have shown minimal side effects with short-term blockade of either Notch1 or its ligand Delta-like 4, but long-term side effects were not investigated. In this issue of the JCI, Liu et al. use mouse models to demonstrate the consequence of long-term Notch1 inhibition. They present evidence that chronic Notch1 inhibition leads to vascular tumors in the liver and decreased survival, which suggests that Notch1 therapies should be reevaluated.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Receptor, Notch1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptor, Notch1
  • delta protein