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Cell adhesion molecules as targets for therapy of neuroblastoma

Karina Jin Yoon1, Mary K Danks

  • 1Department of Molecular Pharmacology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Cancer Biology & Therapy
|February 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) regulate tumor cell metastasis. Targeting CAM interactions with the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton may offer new therapeutic strategies for metastatic neuroblastoma.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cancer research
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are cell surface glycoproteins vital for normal cellular functions like proliferation and migration.
  • In tumors, CAMs influence oncogenesis, signal transduction, and metastasis.
  • CAMs mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, impacting cell motility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of CAM-mediated interactions in regulating tumor metastasis.
  • To evaluate CAM-based molecular interactions as potential therapeutic targets for metastatic neuroblastoma.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on CAMs, cell motility, and neuroblastoma metastasis.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying CAM interactions with the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton.
  • Assessment of therapeutic potential of targeting these interactions.

Main Results:

  • CAMs control cell motility through interactions with the extracellular matrix and actin cytoskeleton.
  • These motility-regulating interactions are crucial for tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
  • CAMs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • CAM-mediated molecular interactions are key regulators of neuroblastoma metastasis.
  • Targeting these CAM interactions presents a promising therapeutic avenue for metastatic neuroblastoma.

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