%0 Journal Article
%T Stem cells, Notch-1 signaling and Oxidative stress: a hellish trio in cancer development and progression within the airways. Is there a role for natural compounds?
%A Chiappara G
%A Di Vincenzo S
%A Cascio C
%A Pace E
%J Carcinogenesis
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jul 24
%M 39046986
%F 4.741
%R 10.1093/carcin/bgae049
%X Notch-1 signaling plays a crucial role in stem cell maintenance and in repair mechanisms in various mucosal surfaces, including airway mucosa. Persistent injury can induce an aberrant activation of Notch-1 signaling in stem cells leading to an increased risk of cancer initiation and progression. Chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated to both over-activation of Notch-1 signaling and increased lung cancer risk. Increased oxidative stress, also due to cigarette smoke, can further contribute to promote cancer initiation and progression by amplifying inflammatory responses, by activating the Notch-1 signaling and by blocking regulatory mechanisms that inhibit the growth capacity of stem cells. This review offers a comprehensive overview on the effects of aberrant Notch-1 signaling activation in stem cells and of increased oxidative stress in the lung cancer. The putative role of natural compounds with anti-oxidant properties is also described.