Abstract
Malignant tumors aberrantly overexpress various embryonic genes and proto-oncogenes, including a variety of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs). CTAs belong to a class of testis-derived proteins which are only expressed in germ cells in the male testis, and the expression of CTA genes is entirely silenced in the adult somatic tissues. They are, however, aberrantly overexpressed in a variety of malignant tumor tissues. Emerging evidence shows that a number of CTAs promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) and genesis of cancer stem like cells, escalating tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The can cer-testis antigens, such as SSX, MAGE-D4B, CAGE, piwil2, and CT45A1, upregulate EMT and metastatic genes, promoting EMT and tumor dissemination. In addition, certain members of CTAs, including Piwil2, DNAJB8, CT45A1, MAGE-A, GAGE, and SPANX, are implicated in the initiation or maintenance, of cancer stem-like cells, promoting tumorigenesis and malignant progression. Clinically CTAs are closely associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Intriguely, CTAs are strongly immunogenic and normally restricted to the male testis after birth, however, these proteins are aberrantly overexpressed in cancer stem-like cells and in a variety of cancers, suggesting their target potential for cancer immunotherapy, as diagnostic biomarkers, and as targets for novel anticancer drug discovery. Thus, the targeting of tumorigenic CTAs is a promising strategy to eradicate cancer stem-like cells and inhibit tumorigenesis for effective cancer treatment.
Keywords: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, cancer-testis antigens, tumorigenesis, cancer, immunotherapy.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Cancer/Testis Antigens Trigger Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Genesis of Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Volume: 21 Issue: 10
Author(s): Ping Yang, Zihe Huo, Huaidong Liao and Quansheng Zhou
Affiliation:
Keywords: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, cancer-testis antigens, tumorigenesis, cancer, immunotherapy.
Abstract: Malignant tumors aberrantly overexpress various embryonic genes and proto-oncogenes, including a variety of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs). CTAs belong to a class of testis-derived proteins which are only expressed in germ cells in the male testis, and the expression of CTA genes is entirely silenced in the adult somatic tissues. They are, however, aberrantly overexpressed in a variety of malignant tumor tissues. Emerging evidence shows that a number of CTAs promote epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) and genesis of cancer stem like cells, escalating tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The can cer-testis antigens, such as SSX, MAGE-D4B, CAGE, piwil2, and CT45A1, upregulate EMT and metastatic genes, promoting EMT and tumor dissemination. In addition, certain members of CTAs, including Piwil2, DNAJB8, CT45A1, MAGE-A, GAGE, and SPANX, are implicated in the initiation or maintenance, of cancer stem-like cells, promoting tumorigenesis and malignant progression. Clinically CTAs are closely associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Intriguely, CTAs are strongly immunogenic and normally restricted to the male testis after birth, however, these proteins are aberrantly overexpressed in cancer stem-like cells and in a variety of cancers, suggesting their target potential for cancer immunotherapy, as diagnostic biomarkers, and as targets for novel anticancer drug discovery. Thus, the targeting of tumorigenic CTAs is a promising strategy to eradicate cancer stem-like cells and inhibit tumorigenesis for effective cancer treatment.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Yang Ping, Huo Zihe, Liao Huaidong and Zhou Quansheng, Cancer/Testis Antigens Trigger Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Genesis of Cancer Stem-Like Cells, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2015; 21 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612821666141211154707
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612821666141211154707 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Biochemical Markers of Renal Function
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nanotechnological Advances in the Treatment of Epilepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Biomolecules Linked to Transition Metal Complexes - New Chances for Chemotherapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Multiple Roles of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels in Inflammatory Conditions and Current Status of Drug Development
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Macrophage Stimulating Protein/Ron Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target to Impede Multiple Mechanisms Involved in Breast Cancer Progression
Current Drug Targets PD-L1 Testing for Urothelial Carcinoma: Interchangeability, Reliability and Future Perspectives
Current Drug Targets Calorie Restriction and Dietary Restriction Mimetics: A Strategy for Improving Healthy Aging and Longevity
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Therapeutic Potential of ADAM15
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Chemistry and Bio-Medicinal Significance of Pyrimidines & Condensed Pyrimidines
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Progress of Small Molecular VEGFR Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Disorders of Mechanisms of Calcium Metabolism Control as Potential Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Emergence of Non-coding RNAs as Versatile and Efficient Therapeutic Tools
Current Gene Therapy Chemistry and Theranostic Applications of Radiolabeled Nanoparticles for Cardiovascular, Oncological, and Pulmonary Research
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Application of dsRNA in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Future Trends
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase, an Emerging Target for Anti-Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Bladder Cancer and Stem Cells
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Validated RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Gemcitabine and LY-364947 in Liposomal Formulations
Current Drug Targets Novel Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: What we have Learned from Animal Studies
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Plant Extracts and Isolated Compounds Reduce Parameters of Oxidative Stress Induced by Heavy Metals: An up-to-Date Review on Animal Studies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis: An Integrated View
Current Molecular Medicine