p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases: their role in carcinogenesis

The members of the p38 subfamily of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) are a versatile group of proteins, that function as signal transducers involved in key cellular functions. Initially, p38 MAPKs were associated with inflammatory and cellular stress responses and, as such, p38 has been an important target for anti-inflammatory therapies. Recently, increasing evidence has directly implicated p38 MAPKs in processes essential for cell development, transformation and tumorogenesis, namely: proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. These features make p38 MAPKs potential targets for future anti-neoplastic therapies.