Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Heteromulticellular Stromal Cells in Scaffold-free 3D Cultures of Epithelial Cancer Cells to Drive Invasion
09:18

Heteromulticellular Stromal Cells in Scaffold-free 3D Cultures of Epithelial Cancer Cells to Drive Invasion

Published on: April 4, 2025

1.2K

Targeting EphA3 inhibits cancer growth by disrupting the tumor stromal microenvironment

Mary E Vail1, Carmel Murone2, April Tan3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. mary.vail@monash.edu Andrew.Scott@ludwig.edu.au Martin.Lackmann@monash.edu.

Cancer Research
|August 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

EphA3, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is unexpectedly overexpressed in human cancers. Its activation inhibits tumor growth by disrupting the tumor microenvironment, suggesting EphA3 agonists as a novel anticancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Eph receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are crucial for cell communication in tissue development and cancer.
  • While some cancer genomes suggest EphA3 acts as a tumor suppressor, its role in oncogenesis is unclear.
  • The expression patterns of EphA3 in tumors are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression pattern and function of EphA3 in the tumor microenvironment.
  • To determine the therapeutic potential of targeting EphA3 in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of EphA3 expression in human cancers and mouse tumor xenografts.
  • In vitro studies on EphA3 activation in mesenchymal/stromal cells.
  • In vivo studies using agonistic α-EphA3 antibodies in mice.

Main Results:

  • EphA3 is unexpectedly overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers.
  • Activation of EphA3 on mesenchymal/stromal cells induces cell contraction, segregation, and apoptosis.
  • Treatment with an EphA3 agonist disrupts tumor stroma and microvasculature integrity, inhibiting tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • EphA3 is a novel target for selectively eliminating the tumor microenvironment.
  • EphA3 agonists show potential as an anticancer therapeutic strategy.

More Related Videos

Three-dimensional Co-culture Model for Tumor-stromal Interaction08:39

Three-dimensional Co-culture Model for Tumor-stromal Interaction

Published on: February 2, 2015

16.8K
A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery07:20

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

Published on: February 28, 2020

11.0K

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.3K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

2.6K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.3K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted 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...
7.0K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
1.8K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.2K