NF-kappaB-inducing kinase in cancer

Dysregulation of the alternative NF-κB signaling has severe developmental consequences that can ultimately lead to oncogenesis. Pivotal for the activation of the alternative NF-κB pathway is the stabilization of the NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK). The aim of this review is to focus on the emerging role of NIK in cancer. The documented subversion of NIK in cancers highlights NIK as a possible therapeutic target. Recent studies show that the alterations of NIK or the components of its regulatory complex are manifold including regulation on the transcript level, copy number changes, mutations as well as protein modifications. High NIK activity is associated with different human malignancies and has adverse effects on tumor patient survival. We discuss here research focusing on deciphering the contribution of NIK towards cancer development and progression. We also report that it is possible to engineer inhibitors with high specificity for NIK and describe developments in this area.