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Targeting the embryonic gene Cripto-1 in cancer and beyond

Caterina Bianco1, David S Salomon

  • 1National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Mammary Biology & Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Biancoc@mail.nih.gov

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents
|November 16, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The embryonic gene Cripto-1 is re-expressed in many human carcinomas, making it a promising cancer therapeutic target. Targeting Cripto-1 may eliminate both differentiated and undifferentiated cancer cells, including cancer stem cells.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Embryonic genes like Cripto-1 are inappropriately activated during cancer development.
  • Cripto-1 is essential for embryonic development and marks undifferentiated stem cells.
  • Re-expression of Cripto-1 in adult carcinomas makes it a potential cancer therapeutic target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review therapeutic strategies targeting Cripto-1 in cancer.
  • To explore the role and targeting of Cripto-1 in neurodegenerative and muscle diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of patent literature and peer-reviewed publications on Cripto-1 targeting.
  • Discussion of various therapeutic modalities including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), vaccines, and antisense oligonucleotides.
  • Inclusion of ongoing clinical trial data for anti-Cripto-1 therapies.

Main Results:

  • Overview of diverse approaches to target Cripto-1, including mAbs, vaccines, and antisense oligonucleotides.
  • A humanized anti-Cripto-1 antibody is undergoing Phase I clinical trials for cancer patients.
  • Cripto-1 targeting strategies are being investigated for potential applications in neurodegenerative and muscle diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting Cripto-1 in human tumors can eliminate differentiated cancer cells.
  • Cripto-1 targeting may eradicate undifferentiated cancer stem cells responsible for tumor initiation and self-renewal.
  • This approach offers a strategy to combat cancer by targeting its stem-like cell population.

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