Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are rare but one of the most aggressive types of cancer. Currently, there are no effective chemotherapy strategies for these malignancies. The inactivation of the neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) gene, followed by loss of TP53, is an early stage in MPNST carcinogenesis. NF1 is a negative regulator of the Ras proteins family, which are key factors in regulating cell growth, homeostasis and survival. Cell cycle dysregulation induces a stress phenotype, such as proteotoxic stress, metabolic stress, and oxidative stress, which should result in cell death. However, in the case of neoplastic cells, we observe not only the avoidance of apoptosis, but also the impact of stress factors on the treatment effectiveness. This review focuses on the pathomechanisms underlying MPNST cells physiology, and discusses the possible ways to develop a successful treatment based on the molecular background of the disease.