Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
09:51
Cell-Based Drug Screening for Inhibitors of Autophagy Related 4B Cysteine Peptidase
Published on: June 30, 2023
Cathepsin B as a cancer target
Christopher S Gondi1, Jasti S Rao
1University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology and Neurosurgery, Peoria, IL, USA.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|January 9, 2013
Summary
Cathepsin B plays a key role in cancer development and metastasis. Targeting this enzyme, especially in combination with other therapies, shows promise for cancer treatment, but requires careful consideration of its diverse functions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cathepsin B is implicated in human cancer pathologies and oncogenic processes.
- Overexpression of cathepsin B correlates with invasive and metastatic cancer phenotypes.
- Aberrant cathepsin B expression, beyond its normal lysosomal functions, contributes to cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the oncogenic role of cathepsin B in cancer.
- To discuss cathepsin B regulation and its function as a signaling molecule in oncogenesis.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting cathepsin B in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on cathepsin B in cancer.
- Analysis of cathepsin B's role in oncogenesis and signaling pathways.
- Evaluation of therapeutic strategies targeting cathepsin B.
Main Results:
- Cathepsin B exhibits diverse functions influencing multiple pathways, complicating targeted therapy.
- Targeting cathepsin B alone may not be sufficient to inhibit tumor growth.
- Global suppression of cathepsin B may lead to unintended pathway alterations.
Conclusions:
- Localized targeting of cathepsin B expression is a more relevant approach.
- Combination therapy involving cathepsin B inhibitors and other oncogenic molecule targets holds significant therapeutic potential.
- Further research is needed to understand the full implications of modulating cathepsin B activity.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
01:27Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...