Mechanisms of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) inhibitors in combating cancer

The survival and proliferation of cancer cells depend largely on the elevation of oncogene expression. Oncogenic expression can be affected by alterations in translation, or protein synthesis. Translation initiation, the rate limiting step of translation, closely regulates protein synthesis which both healthy and cancerous cells require for division and growth. Inhibitors of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) have been shown to selectively repress the expression of oncogenes in multiple in vitro studies. Although chemotherapeutic application of translation initiation inhibition is in its early stages, promising in vitro results demonstrate the potential of eIF4F inhibitors for use in clinical settings. This review offers a brief overview of the mechanisms that underlie eIF4F inhibitor activity in combating cancer.