Role of Alternative Splicing in Oncogenesis

Abstract

Over the past two decades, much evidence has accumulated that confirms the crucial role of alternative splicing in the process of tumorigenesis. A more detailed study of splicing mechanisms revealed that targeting the central process for atypical cells could be a potential new approach in the treatment of malignant neoplasms. Firstly, specific protein isoforms that are formed as a result of alternative splicing and are involved in tumorigenesis can potentially act as a target for the treatment of malignant neoplasms. Second, high rates of cell proliferation presumably make tumor cells highly dependent on a functional spliceosome, creating potential hypersensitivity to global splicing modulation. The study of the role of alternative splicing in tumorigenesis and the search for therapeutic targets contributed not only to the development of  a more promising direction in oncology, but also to the search for new drugs that have a targeted effect on the development of malignant neoplasms.