Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
09:37

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

Published on: August 25, 2021

Annexin A5: shifting from a diagnostic towards a therapeutic realm

H Kenis1, L Hofstra, C P M Reutelingsperger

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands. h.kenis@bioch.unimaas.nl

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|September 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Annexin A5 is a powerful tool for detecting cell death and has evolved for in vivo imaging. Its unique internalization properties enable targeted drug delivery for treating diseases like cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis research has surged, driving demand for cell death detection technologies.
  • Annexin A5's phosphatidylserine binding properties are key to its use in apoptosis detection.
  • Annexin A5 has transitioned from in vitro assays to in vivo molecular imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the evolution of annexin A5 in cell death detection.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of annexin A5's internalization properties.
  • To introduce annexin A5 as a platform for targeted drug delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Review of annexin A5's phosphatidylserine binding characteristics.
  • Analysis of annexin A5's in vitro and in vivo applications.
  • Investigation of annexin A5's internalization mechanisms for therapeutic development.

Main Results:

  • Annexin A5 is an effective tool for detecting apoptotic cells in vitro.
  • Annexin A5 serves as a valuable molecular imaging technology in vivo.
  • Annexin A5 mediates cellular internalization, creating a novel therapeutic platform.

Conclusions:

  • Annexin A5 has broad applications in cell death detection and molecular imaging.
  • Annexin A5-mediated internalization offers a promising strategy for targeted drug delivery.
  • Annexin A5 holds potential for treating diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Related Concept Videos

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Overview and Classification01:16

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Overview and Classification

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is a clinical practice that measures specific drug levels in a patient's blood at designated intervals to ensure the drug concentration stays within a therapeutic range. This monitoring is crucial for optimizing individual dosage regimens, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing drug-related toxicity. TDM is vital for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, significant variability in pharmacokinetics, and a clear correlation between plasma levels and...
Therapeutic Index01:13

Therapeutic Index

The therapeutic index of a drug is a key parameter in pharmacology that quantifies the relative safety of a drug by calculating the ratio between the dose that causes toxicity in half the population (50%) to the dose that proves to be effective for half the population (50%). It provides a spectrum of doses for a particular drug ranging from effective to potentially toxic. To illustrate, consider an anticoagulant agent like warfarin. It possesses a narrow window within its therapeutic index to...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors01:29

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
Preclinical Development: Overview01:28

Preclinical Development: Overview

Preclinical development consists of a series of tests that ensure the safety and efficacy of a new therapeutic compound before it is tested in humans. There are four main phases to this process. First, safety pharmacology tests are conducted to ensure the drug does not produce any acutely harmful effects. These tests examine parameters such as bronchoconstriction, cardiac dysrhythmias, blood pressure changes, and ataxia. Next, preliminary toxicological testing is performed to determine the...