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Updated: May 28, 2026
The Establishment of a Lung Colonization Assay for Circulating Tumor Cell Visualization in Lung Tissues
Published on: June 16, 2018
RETRACTED: Cell-permeable NM23 blocks the maintenance and progression of established pulmonary metastasis
Junghee Lim1, Giyong Jang, Seeun Kang
1ProCell R&D Institute, ProCell Therapeutics, Inc., Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Occult metastases are a major cause of cancer mortality, even among patients undergoing curative resection. Therefore, practical strategies to target the growth and persistence of already established metastases would provide an important advance in cancer treatment. Here, we assessed the potential of protein therapy using a cell permeable NM23-H1 metastasis suppressor protein. Hydrophobic transduction domains developed from a screen of 1,500 signaling peptide sequences enhanced the uptake of the NM23 protein by cultured cells and systemic delivery to animal tissues. The cell-permeable (CP)-NM23 inhibited metastasis-associated phenotypes in tumor cell lines, blocked the establishment of lung metastases, and cleared already established pulmonary metastases, significantly prolonging the survival of tumor-bearing animals. Therefore, these results establish the potential use of cell-permeable metastasis suppressors as adjuvant therapy against disseminated cancers.
Insights
Cell-permeable NM23-H1 protein therapy effectively targets and eliminates cancer metastases. This approach significantly improves survival in tumor-bearing animals, offering a promising new strategy for treating disseminated cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Protein Therapy
Background:
- Occult metastases are a primary driver of cancer mortality, even after curative surgery.
- Targeting established metastases is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of a cell-permeable NM23-H1 metastasis suppressor protein.
- To assess the efficacy of protein therapy in inhibiting and clearing cancer metastases.
Main Methods:
- Developed cell-permeable (CP)-NM23 using hydrophobic transduction domains for enhanced cellular uptake and systemic delivery.
- Assessed CP-NM23's effect on metastasis-associated phenotypes in tumor cell lines.
- Evaluated CP-NM23's efficacy in blocking and clearing lung metastases in animal models.
Main Results:
- Enhanced cellular uptake and systemic delivery of NM23 protein were achieved.
- CP-NM23 inhibited metastasis-associated phenotypes and blocked lung metastasis formation.
- Established pulmonary metastases were cleared, significantly prolonging animal survival.
Conclusions:
- Cell-permeable metastasis suppressors demonstrate significant potential as an adjuvant therapy for disseminated cancers.
- Protein therapy with CP-NM23 offers a promising strategy to combat cancer mortality caused by metastases.
