Summary

A paradox for cancer biology is represented by the fact that some oncogenes, including c-myc, prov de an advantage to cancer cells by stimulating uncontrolled proliferation while, at the same time, they exert a pro-apoptotic activity. The prominent roles of c-myc and the relevance of phosphorylation and subcellular compartmentalization of c-Myc protein are described in this review, which focuses also the possible strategies to modulate (i.e. up- and down-regulate) the c-myc level. The gene expression targeted approach of c-mycmodulation as anticancer therapeutic treatment is discussed. I