Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology

Following pathogen infection, the IκB kinase (IKK)-related kinases TBK1 and IKKi phosphorylate and activate members of the Interferon Regulatory Factor transcription factors that control the transcription of a repertoire of genes with anti-viral activity. Studies have revealed that these kinases also target NF-κB and c-Jun transcription factors thereby suggesting that they could also control inflammatory responses. The link between chronic inflammation and cancer is under intensive investigations, the canonical IκB kinases (IKKα and IKKβ) and NF-κB being proposed as major culprits. New findings now suggest that the IKK-related kinases TBK1 and IKKi, in addition to their essential functions in controlling the innate immune response, also participate to signaling pathways that impact on cell transformation and tumor progression. This review will therefore discuss the role of TBK1 and IKKi in innate immunity and summarize their proposed roles in cellular transformation and oncogenesis by focusing on their regulation and downstream substrates.