Figure 2.

FAK-mediated signaling cascades involved in tumor progression. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is activated by Integrins, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), cytokine receptors, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and changes in the intracellular pH (H⁺). FAK transmits upstream stimuli to downstream effectors through kinase-dependent and -independent signaling cascades, contributing to many biological processes involved in tumorigenesis, such as survival and proliferation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression.