Scientists identify new protein target to starve tumors of blood supply
Researchers have identified CD93, a protein on blood vessel cells, as a promising new way to block tumor growth by disrupting the vessels that feed cancer. The finding could open a new class of cancer drugs, though significant development work remains before any treatments reach patients.
Originaltitel: CD93-An emerging vascular target in cancer therapy.
CD93, ett endotelreglerat molekyl som styr blodkärlsbildning, visar sig vara överuttryckt i flera cancerformer och kan bli ett betydande angreppspunkt för nya läkemedel. Proteinet, som tillhör C-type lectin-familjen, aktiverar signalvägar som kontrollerar endotelcellernas migration och adhesion — processer som är kritiska för tumörers försörjning. Forskare vid Uppsala universitet och Candiolo Cancer Institute har granskatCD93:s struktur, signalering och roll i cancerprognos. Molekylen är uppreglerad vid inflammatoriska tillstånd och olika cancertyper, vilket gör den farmakologiskt intressant. För FoU-chefer och investerare är CD93 relevant eftersom den erbjuder en ovälutforskad väg mot antiangiogenesa-terapier. Utvecklingshorisont och translationsmöjligheter är dock inte specificerat. Potentialen ligger i att adressera tumörvaskularisering genom en ny molekylär målpunkt.
CD93 is a single-pass transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the C-type lectin domain group XIV family of proteins. Although it is known to be expressed in other cell types, namely, in some subsets of immune cells, CD93 is primarily expressed on endothelial cells, where it acts as a crucial regulator of angiogenesis. CD93 interacts with a variety of ligands and signalling partners, which activates complex downstream signalling pathways that enable it to regulate dynamic processes such as endothelial cell migration and adhesion. Interestingly, CD93 is known to be up-regulated in several pathologies, such as inflammatory conditions and different types of cancers, making it an attractive novel therapeutic target. In the present work, we review and summarize the existing literature on CD93's structure and signalling, involvement and contribution to prognosis in cancer, as well as current efforts in targeting this protein for disease treatment. With this, we underscore the importance of CD93 as a promising therapeutic target for future cancer therapies and provide insights into the present need for translation efforts and future directions.