Invited reviewFyn is an important molecule in cancer pathogenesis and drug resistance

Fyn is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that belongs to the Src family kinases (SFKs) which under normal physiological conditions is involved in signal transduction pathways in the nervous system, as well as the development and activation of T lymphocytes. In cancer, Fyn contributes to the development and progression of several cancer types through its involvement in the control of cell growth, death, morphogenic transformation and cellular motility. Enhanced expression and/or activation of Fyn is observed in various cancers, including melanoma, glioblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma, prostate and breast cancers. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of Fyn in the resistance or susceptibility of cancer cells to some anti-cancer treatments. We have recently shown that Fyn is upregulated in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell lines and demonstrated that it plays a key role in the resistance mechanism. Further, we found that the cellular localization of Fyn within cancer cells of primary ER+ breast tumor tissue may serve as a prognostic marker. Understanding the role of Fyn in initiation and progression of cancer and its contribution to resistance against anti-cancer therapeutic agents may facilitate the development and use of novel drugs targeting Fyn for better management of malignancies.