Extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, a new cancer metabokine

Br J Pharmacol. 2016 Jul;173(14):2182-94. doi: 10.1111/bph.13505. Epub 2016 Jun 2.

Abstract

In this review, we focus on the secreted form of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT); extracellular NAMPT (eNAMPT), also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor or visfatin. Although intracellular NAMPT is a key enzyme in controlling NAD metabolism, eNAMPT has been reported to function as a cytokine, with many roles in physiology and pathology. Circulating eNAMPT has been associated with several metabolic and inflammatory disorders, including cancer. Because cytokines produced in the tumour micro-environment play an important role in cancer pathogenesis, in part by reprogramming cellular metabolism, future improvements in cancer immunotherapy will require a better understanding of the crosstalk between cytokine action and tumour biology. In this review, the knowledge of eNAMPT in cancer will be discussed, focusing on its immunometabolic function as a metabokine, its secretion, its mechanism of action and possible roles in the cancer micro-environment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase