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In Vivo Immunofluorescence Localization for Assessment of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibody Biodistribution in Cancer Research
Published on: September 16, 2019
Anti-invasive/anti-metastasis strategies: new roads, new tools and new hopes
Laurent Dollé1, Herman T Depypere, Marc E Bracke
1Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology, Department of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
Unfortunately, the anticancer drugs that are used nowadays in the clinic have only limited success. To provide a significant clinical advancement, new concepts have to be introduced to aid the design of new tools for therapy. Cancer is not only restricted to neoplastic cells, but rather it involves an ensemble of protagonists. In addition, the evolution of cancer is extremely complex, since multiple cellular activities are involved. Some key steps in the evolution to a metastatic tumor have been shown to be no useful targets. Targeting the stroma cells, however, could bring a new efficiency in anticancer treatment. Targeting the disorganized tissue architecture at the primary site and the restoration of the cell death program in cancer cells appears to create new possibilities in drug design. Also the cytoskeleton, which represents a dynamic set due to its plasticity and multiplicity, seems to be a promising target in anticancer therapy. Moreover, the evolving knowledge of the role of metastasis suppressor genes in regulating cancer cell growth at the secondary site suggests that they could serve as new targets for therapeutic intervention. This review intends to highlight the unraveling of new therapeutic pathways, and to unveil new powerful research tools for combating metastasis.
Insights
New anticancer strategies focus on targeting cancer
Area of Science:
- Oncology and Cancer Therapeutics
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Cell Biology and Signaling
Background:
- Current anticancer drugs exhibit limited clinical efficacy, necessitating novel therapeutic concepts.
- Cancer progression is a complex, multi-cellular process involving neoplastic and stromal cells.
- Metastasis involves intricate cellular activities, with some key steps proving ineffective therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging therapeutic pathways and research tools for improved anticancer drug design.
- To explore novel targets beyond neoplastic cells, including stroma and cytoskeleton.
- To highlight the potential of metastasis suppressor genes in therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of recent advancements in cancer therapy research.
- Analysis of the role of stromal cells, tissue architecture, and cytoskeleton in cancer progression.
- Examination of the function of metastasis suppressor genes in secondary tumor growth.
Main Results:
- Targeting stromal cells and disorganized tissue architecture offers a promising avenue for enhanced anticancer treatment.
- Restoring the cancer cell death program presents new possibilities for drug development.
- The cytoskeleton's plasticity and metastasis suppressor genes are identified as significant potential therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Novel therapeutic strategies should consider the tumor microenvironment and complex cellular interactions.
- Interventions targeting stromal cells, cytoskeleton dynamics, and metastasis suppressor genes may overcome limitations of current therapies.
- This review underscores the need for innovative research tools to combat cancer metastasis effectively.
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