Targeting oncogenic Myc as a strategy for cancer treatment

The cancer gene myc is the subject of a variety of research strategies aimed at developing anti-cancer therapies. Myc, which regulates at least 15% of all genes including those involved in cell development and survival, is mutated and overexpressed in many cancer types. While inhibiting myc is an obvious anti-cancer strategy, directly targeting myc has proved difficult. Dr Guoliang Qing and colleagues from Wuhan University have reviewed advances in myc-targeting strategies as potential cancer therapies. Current strategies include indirectly targeting myc by inhibiting its regulation and stability, and interaction with its partner Max, which is necessary for its regulation of gene expression. Other strategies involve inducing a mutation in a gene that interacts with myc to kill cancer cells. These and future innovative approaches provide promise for effective therapeutics against myc-dependent cancers.