The role of TBK1 in cancer pathogenesis and anticancer immunity

Abstract

The TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the non-canonical inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (IκB) kinase (IKK) family. TBK1 can be activated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), inflammatory cytokines, and oncogenic kinases, including activated K-RAS/N-RAS mutants. TBK1 primarily mediates IRF3/7 activation and NF-κB signaling to regulate inflammatory cytokine production and the activation of innate immunity. TBK1 is also involved in the regulation of several other cellular activities, including autophagy, mitochondrial metabolism, and cellular proliferation. Although TBK1 mutations have not been reported in human cancers, aberrant TBK1 activation has been implicated in the oncogenesis of several types of cancer, including leukemia and solid tumors with KRAS-activating mutations. As such, TBK1 has been proposed to be a feasible target for pharmacological treatment of these types of cancer. Studies suggest that TBK1 inhibition suppresses cancer development not only by directly suppressing the proliferation and survival of cancer cells but also by activating antitumor T-cell immunity. Several small molecule inhibitors of TBK1 have been identified and interrogated. However, to this point, only momelotinib (MMB)/CYT387 has been evaluated as a cancer therapy in clinical trials, while amlexanox (AMX) has been evaluated clinically for treatment of type II diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity. In this review, we summarize advances in research into TBK1 signaling pathways and regulation, as well as recent studies on TBK1 in cancer pathogenesis. We also discuss the potential molecular mechanisms of targeting TBK1 for cancer treatment. We hope that our effort can help to stimulate the development of novel strategies for targeting TBK1 signaling in future approaches to cancer therapy.

A Human Pan-Cancer System Analysis of Regulator of Chromatin Condensation 2

“…TBK1 was selectively essential in cells that harbor mutant KRAS [42]. Emerging evidence showed that TBK1 plays important role in the pathogenesis of cancer [43][44]. Thus, our ndings suggested that RCC2 could be a novel oncogene in human cancer.…”

STING pathway contributes to the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and identification of prognostic gene signatures correlated to tumor microenvironment

“…With regard to the TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), it was a serine/threonine kinase involved in the induction of IFN-I produce, which was activated by STING1 with being regulated by the second messenger of cGAMP [ 38 , 39 ]. Recent studies suggested that TBK1 exhibited a significant role in mediating the process of survival probability and development in Kras-independent cancer cells [ 40 – 42 ].…”

Endothelial deletion of TBK1 contributes to BRB dysfunction via CXCR4 phosphorylation suppression

“…TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) belongs to the non-canonical IκB kinases, and is also known as an NF-κB activating kinase [ 2 ]. TBK1 can be activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and viral infections.…”