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The potential of carboxypeptidase M as a therapeutic target in cancer

Catherine J Denis1, Anne-Marie Lambeir

  • 1University of Antwerp, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerp, B-2610, Belgium.

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|January 9, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Carboxypeptidase M (CPM) is a potential cancer biomarker, aiding in cancer type discrimination. While its role as a therapeutic drug target requires further investigation, developing CPM inhibitors is crucial for understanding its function in cancer biology.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Carboxypeptidase M (CPM) is recognized as a potential cancer biomarker.
  • CPM influences key cancer processes like proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis by modulating receptor signaling pathways.
  • Its substrates include kinins, anaphylatoxins, and chemokines, which are critical in cancer cell behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the evidence supporting carboxypeptidase M (CPM) as a drug target for cancer therapy.
  • To assess the role of CPM in cancer molecular signatures and its potential for cancer discrimination and stratification.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search using PubMed with terms like "carboxypeptidase M" and "cancer".
  • Inclusion of data from the GEO database, gene expression studies, and proteomic analyses.
  • Review of existing research on CPM's function and expression in various cancer types.

Main Results:

  • CPM is integral to the molecular signature of numerous cancers.
  • CPM demonstrates utility in differentiating and stratifying cancer types, potentially alongside markers like EGFR and MDM2.
  • High CPM levels are observed in lung, kidney, brain, and reproductive system tissues, though its function there is largely unelucidated.

Conclusions:

  • CPM is a significant component of cancer molecular profiles and aids in cancer classification.
  • The therapeutic potential of CPM as a drug target is not yet definitively established.
  • Development of selective CPM inhibitors is essential for further research into its role in tumor-associated inflammation and cancer biology, particularly given its expression on tumor-associated macrophages.

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