The enigmatic role of lipocalin 2 in human cancer. The multifunctional protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and its ambiguous role in human neoplasias.

Di Carlo A <sup>1   

1</sup>Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy


doi: 10.7362/2240-2594.057.2012

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), also known as lipocalin 2, has been originally identified as a 25 kDa protein covalently linked to neutrophil gelatinase B. It is an acute phase protein involved in diverse physiological processes with an important role in intracellular iron transport. Moreover, lipocalin 2 is involved in the physiopathology of neoplastic process.

Objectives: The aim is to review the literature concerning the role of lipocalin 2 in cancer growth and its correlation with human neoplasias.
 
Methods: A review was performed on the basis of literature search of Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), tumor growth, tumor invasion, tumor development and tumor biomarker in PubMed.
 
Results: Lipocalin 2 induces proliferation and angiogenesis, favorite invasion and metastasis. But it can also inhibits proliferation and induce apoptosis. So far its role is contradictory and not yet completely clarified.
 
Conclusions: It is likely that the dual contradictory effects of NGAL (pro-neoplastic and anti-tumoral) are neoplasia-specific and influenced largely by the type of molecule it is complexed with.

Key words: lipocalin, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), tumor growth

Angelina Di Carlo
Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy