Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in head and neck cancer and novel therapeutic targets: A systematic review

• Published in: Head & neck 2017-12, Vol.39 (12), p.2573-2584
• Main Authors: Lechien, Jérôme R., Nassri, Amir, Kindt, Nadege, Brown, David N., Journe, Fabrice, Saussez, Sven
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Antagonists; Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - genetics; Biopsy, Needle; Cancer; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogenesis - drug effects; Carcinogenesis - genetics; CD74; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Chemoradiotherapy; Disease Progression; head; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - drug therapy; Head and Neck Neoplasms - genetics; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammatory diseases; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases - drug effects; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases - genetics; Leukocyte migration; Macrophage migration inhibitory factor; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors - drug effects; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors - genetics; Macrophages; migration inhibitory factor (MIF); Molecular Targeted Therapy; neck; Neovascularization, Pathologic - drug therapy; Neovascularization, Pathologic - prevention & control; Rheumatoid arthritis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Tumor cells; Tumor Cells, Cultured
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.24939

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in systemic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, such as obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. For the 2 past decades, MIF has been reported to participate in carcinogenesis, disease prognosis, tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor‐induced angiogenesis in many cancers. The purpose of this article is to review published experimental and clinical data for MIF and its involvement in upper aerodigestive tract cancers. Based on the current literature, we propose a biomolecular model describing the mechanisms underlying the involvement of MIF in the initiation, progression, apoptosis, and proliferation of head and neck tumor cells. In reference to this model, potential therapeutic approaches based on the use of MIF antagonists and neutralizing antibodies are described. It is concluded that MIF is a promising target for future therapeutic strategies, both with and without chemoradiation strategies.