Retinoid signaling and growth factor receptors

The term Retinoid signaling and growth factor receptors refers to a broad intersection of two major cellular regulatory systems rather than a single molecular target. Retinoid signaling is primarily mediated by the Retinoic Acid Receptor (RAR) and Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) families, which are nuclear receptors that function as ligand-activated transcription factors to control cell differentiation and apoptosis (1, 2). Growth factor receptors, such as the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR), are typically transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that trigger intracellular cascades like the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways to drive cell growth and survival (3, 4). There is significant functional crosstalk between these pathways; for instance, retinoids can antagonize growth factor-induced proliferation by downregulating receptor expression or interfering with downstream signaling (5). While both systems are critical therapeutic focal points in oncology and dermatology, they represent distinct molecular classes with different structural and functional properties (6). Consequently, this grouping is considered a pathway category or a signaling network rather than an individual therapeutic target (6). Understanding the synergy between these receptors is vital for developing combination therapies to overcome drug resistance in various malignancies (5).

Other names

Retinoid and growth factor signaling pathwaysRAR/RXR and RTK signaling crosstalkNuclear receptor and growth factor receptor signaling

Retinoids act as ligands for nuclear receptors (RAR/RXR) to modulate gene transcription, while growth factor receptor inhibitors block ligand binding or tyrosine kinase activity to inhibit mitogenic signaling cascades.