Zooming in on selectins in cancer

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Ranit Kedmi1, Dan Peer2

  • 1Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Department of Cell Research and Immunology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.

Science Translational Medicine
|July 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Selectins mediate the movement of white blood cells and cancer cells. Targeting selectins with drugs and nanoparticles offers a potential therapeutic strategy for various conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Selectins are cell adhesion molecules crucial for mediating interactions between cells.
  • These interactions play a significant role in the trafficking of leukocytes (white blood cells) and cancer cells within the body.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of selectins in cellular trafficking.
  • To highlight the potential of targeting selectins for therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on selectin function.
  • Analysis of studies investigating drug and nanoparticle-based targeting of selectins.

Main Results:

  • Selectins are confirmed key mediators of leukocyte and cancer cell movement.
  • Evidence suggests that drugs and nanoparticles can effectively target selectins.

Conclusions:

  • Selectin-mediated trafficking is a critical process in health and disease.
  • Targeting selectins presents a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

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