In this review, the role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) in pancreatic and colon cancers will be explored. GSK-3 plays a fundamental role in many metabolic processes, primarily as the final enzyme in glycogen synthesis. Active β-catenin represents the final step for the transcription of Wnt target genes. Both GSK-3 and β-catenin are key in the neoplastic transformation and tumorigenesis of human cells. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic malignancies, survival remains dismal. Continued poor outcomes are attributable to tumor cell resistance and high frequency of metastatic disease. Survival for patients diagnosed with colon cancer is often excellent, and many patients achieve long term remission. However, the incidence of colon cancers continues to increase, especially among the young. The future use of targeted therapy in pancreatic and colo-rectal cancer utilizing GSK-3 may be promising, pending a more thorough understanding of potential downstream effects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: GSK-3 and related kinases in cancer, neurological and other disorders edited by James McCubrey, Agnieszka Gizak and Dariusz Rakus.

中文翻译：

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GSK-3：结肠癌和胰腺癌中的重要激酶。

在这篇综述中，将探讨糖原合酶激酶3（GSK-3）在胰腺癌和结肠癌中的作用。GSK-3在许多代谢过程中起着基本作用，主要是作为糖原合成中的最终酶。活性β-连环蛋白代表Wnt靶基因转录的最后一步。GSK-3和β-catenin都是人类细胞肿瘤转化和肿瘤发生的关键。尽管在胰腺恶性肿瘤的诊断和治疗方面取得了进步，但是生存仍然令人沮丧。持续的不良结果归因于肿瘤细胞抵抗力和转移性疾病的高频率。诊断为结肠癌的患者的生存率通常很高，许多患者可以长期缓解。但是，结肠癌的发病率继续增加，尤其是在年轻人中。利用GSK-3在胰腺癌和结肠直肠癌中靶向治疗的未来应用可能是有希望的，尚待对潜在的下游作用有更全面的了解。本文是特刊的一部分，该刊物由James McCubrey，Agnieszka Gizak和Dariusz Rakus编辑，题为：癌症，神经系统疾病和其他疾病中的GSK-3和相关激酶。