Research progress of some S100 family proteins in esophageal cancer
Zheng Shiming, Wang Cheng, Yang Jianbao
Department of Thoracic Surgery the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University & the Second Clinical Medical School Lanzhou University
Lanzhou 730030 Gansu China
Abstract：Some S100 family proteins comprise a group of 25 small molecule calcium-binding proteins that play crucial roles in the
occurrence development metastasis and prognosis of various tumors. In recent years an increasing number of studies have
elucidated the key biological functions and clinical significance of S100 family proteins in esophageal cancer. This review systematically
summarizes the expression characteristics molecular mechanisms and associations with poor prognosis for certain members of the S100
family—specifically S100A2 S100A4 S100A7 S100A8 / A9 S100A14 S100A16 and S100B. These proteins influence cell
proliferation migration invasion and epithelial -mesenchymal transition by modulating multiple signaling pathways such as PI3K/
AKT MAPK NF-κB . They also participate in tumor microenvironment remodeling and immune regulation. Notably both S100A2
and S100A4 are linked to poor prognostic outcomes in esophageal cancer. S100A7 enhances M2 macrophage infiltration and polarization
through upregulation of M2 macrophage-associated proteins while promoting tumor angiogenesis via activation of p-ErK and p-FAK
pathways. The downregulated expression levels of S100A8 / A9 in esophageal cancer may facilitate tumor progression by influencing cell
cycle dynamics and differentiation processes as well as impacting chemotherapy resistance and the immune microenvironment.
Furthermore the reduced expression of S100A14 is closely associated with the onset and progression of esophageal cancer it may affect
cellular invasion processes through modulation of the p53 pathway—both factors representing potential therapeutic targets as well as
prognostic indicators for this malignancy. Additionally the downregulation of S100A14 coupled with upregulation of S100A16 can
promote proliferation and invasion within esophageal cancer cells offering new insights into its underlying mechanisms during
tumorigenesis. However further investigation is required to fully elucidate the specific mechanisms by which these members from the
S100 protein family operate within esophageal cancer contexts along with their interactions involving other molecular entities.
郑世铭,王 成,杨建宝. 部分S100家族蛋白在食管癌中的研究进展[J]. 肿瘤代谢与营养电子杂志, 2025, 12(2): 261-267.
Zheng Shiming, Wang Cheng, Yang Jianbao. Research progress of some S100 family proteins in esophageal cancer. Electron J Metab Nutr Cancer, 2025, 12(2): 261-267.
