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Published on: November 5, 2019

Glycoprotein non-metastatic b (GPNMB): A metastatic mediator and emerging therapeutic target in cancer

Gordana Maric1, April An Rose, Matthew G Annis

  • 1Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada ; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Oncotargets and Therapy
|July 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Glycoprotein non-metastatic b (GPNMB) is overexpressed in aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer, correlating with metastasis. Targeting GPNMB with antibody-drug conjugates like glembatumumab vedotin shows promise for new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Molecularly targeted therapies offer selective anti-tumor action but lack targets in aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
  • Identifying tumor-associated antigens is crucial for developing novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
  • Glycoprotein non-metastatic b (GPNMB) is overexpressed in various cancers, including TNBC, and linked to metastasis and reduced survival in breast cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of GPNMB in normal and cancerous tissues.
  • To detail the clinical development of GPNMB-targeting therapies, specifically glembatumumab vedotin (CDX-011).
  • To discuss advances and challenges in targeting GPNMB-expressing malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of GPNMB's physiological and pathological roles.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for glembatumumab vedotin (CDX-011).
  • Discussion of antibody-drug conjugate strategies targeting GPNMB.

Main Results:

  • GPNMB overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer.
  • GPNMB is a validated target for antibody-drug conjugates in clinical trials.
  • Glembatumumab vedotin (CDX-011) is under investigation for metastatic breast cancer and melanoma.

Conclusions:

  • GPNMB represents a promising therapeutic target for aggressive cancers.
  • Targeting GPNMB with ADCs like glembatumumab vedotin offers a new avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Further clinical investigation is needed to overcome challenges in GPNMB-targeted therapy.
Keywords:
CDX-011GPNMBantibody-drug conjugatesbreast cancerosteoactivin

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