MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors
MYCN, or N-Myc, is a member of the MYC family of transcription factors, which plays a key role in tumor formation by regulating genes involved in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYCN is essential for neural development, especially for the appropriate growth and differentiation of neur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1584978/full |
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| author | Adriana Fernandez Garcia Adriana Fernandez Garcia Jayden Jackson Jayden Jackson Poorvi Iyer Poorvi Iyer Elissa G. Oliver Elissa G. Oliver Kosuke Funato Kosuke Funato |
| author_facet | Adriana Fernandez Garcia Adriana Fernandez Garcia Jayden Jackson Jayden Jackson Poorvi Iyer Poorvi Iyer Elissa G. Oliver Elissa G. Oliver Kosuke Funato Kosuke Funato |
| author_sort | Adriana Fernandez Garcia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | MYCN, or N-Myc, is a member of the MYC family of transcription factors, which plays a key role in tumor formation by regulating genes involved in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYCN is essential for neural development, especially for the appropriate growth and differentiation of neural progenitor cells, and its aberrant expression contributes to tumorigenesis. Gene amplification and mutations of this gene have been observed in a wide variety of cancer types, particularly in pediatric brain and non-brain tumors, such as neuroblastoma. Previous studies have provided extensive insights into the complex regulatory network of this transcription factor. Additionally, the presence of MYCN alterations in patient tumors serve as a key factor for risk stratification, as it correlates with poorer outcomes, and presents a significant challenge for treatment. Despite its clinical significance, therapeutic targeting of MYCN is challenging due to its structure, nuclear localization, and complex regulatory pathways. Efforts to target MYCN have focused on destabilizing the protein, modulating epigenetic mechanisms, and disrupting its transcriptional network. This review explores the role of MYCN in different subtypes of pediatric brain tumors and highlights novel ongoing therapeutic approaches. However, further research is necessary to develop more effective therapies and improve survival outcomes for patients with MYCN-driven tumor. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ec550e7a19cb49428743b71e85a830bb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2234-943X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ec550e7a19cb49428743b71e85a830bb2025-08-20T03:53:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-04-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15849781584978MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumorsAdriana Fernandez Garcia0Adriana Fernandez Garcia1Jayden Jackson2Jayden Jackson3Poorvi Iyer4Poorvi Iyer5Elissa G. Oliver6Elissa G. Oliver7Kosuke Funato8Kosuke Funato9Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesCenter for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesCenter for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesCenter for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesCenter for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesMYCN, or N-Myc, is a member of the MYC family of transcription factors, which plays a key role in tumor formation by regulating genes involved in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYCN is essential for neural development, especially for the appropriate growth and differentiation of neural progenitor cells, and its aberrant expression contributes to tumorigenesis. Gene amplification and mutations of this gene have been observed in a wide variety of cancer types, particularly in pediatric brain and non-brain tumors, such as neuroblastoma. Previous studies have provided extensive insights into the complex regulatory network of this transcription factor. Additionally, the presence of MYCN alterations in patient tumors serve as a key factor for risk stratification, as it correlates with poorer outcomes, and presents a significant challenge for treatment. Despite its clinical significance, therapeutic targeting of MYCN is challenging due to its structure, nuclear localization, and complex regulatory pathways. Efforts to target MYCN have focused on destabilizing the protein, modulating epigenetic mechanisms, and disrupting its transcriptional network. This review explores the role of MYCN in different subtypes of pediatric brain tumors and highlights novel ongoing therapeutic approaches. However, further research is necessary to develop more effective therapies and improve survival outcomes for patients with MYCN-driven tumor.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1584978/fullMYCNpediatric brain tumorstumorigenesisoncogeneneuro-oncology |
| spellingShingle | Adriana Fernandez Garcia Adriana Fernandez Garcia Jayden Jackson Jayden Jackson Poorvi Iyer Poorvi Iyer Elissa G. Oliver Elissa G. Oliver Kosuke Funato Kosuke Funato MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors Frontiers in Oncology MYCN pediatric brain tumors tumorigenesis oncogene neuro-oncology |
| title | MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors |
| title_full | MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors |
| title_fullStr | MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors |
| title_full_unstemmed | MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors |
| title_short | MYCN as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors |
| title_sort | mycn as an oncogene in pediatric brain tumors |
| topic | MYCN pediatric brain tumors tumorigenesis oncogene neuro-oncology |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1584978/full |
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