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Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and cancer progression

Chia-Yu Chu1, Cheng-Chi Chang, Ekambaranellore Prakash

  • 1Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, 100, Taiwan, ROC.

Journal of Biomedical Science
|July 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) influences cancer progression by affecting cell migration and angiogenesis. This review details CTGF

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a CCN family protein involved in angiogenesis and tumor growth.
  • CTGF expression is linked to tumor development and progression.
  • CCN proteins regulate diverse cellular functions including cell division, migration, and apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the influence of CTGF on cancer cell biological behavior and progression.
  • To highlight CTGF's regulation of protein signals and their mechanisms in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on CTGF expression and cancer.
  • Analysis of CTGF's role in cancer cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and anoikis.
  • Examination of CTGF's regulatory mechanisms on protein signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • CTGF expression is associated with increased cancer cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis.
  • CTGF influences anoikis, a form of programmed cell death.
  • CTGF regulates various protein signals critical for cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • CTGF plays a significant role in the biological behavior and progression of various cancers.
  • Understanding CTGF's regulatory mechanisms can provide insights into cancer therapy.
  • Further research into CTGF signaling pathways is warranted for therapeutic targeting.

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