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Lysophosphatidate Signaling: The Tumor Microenvironment's New Nemesis
Matthew G K Benesch1, Zelei Yang2, Xiaoyun Tang2
1Discipline of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3V6, Canada; Signal Transduction Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2S2, Canada.
Trends in Cancer
|November 10, 2017
Summary
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) promotes cancer progression within the tumor microenvironment. Targeting LPA signaling may enhance cancer therapies by reducing inflammation, regardless of cancer cell mutations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Tumor Microenvironment Biology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid signaling molecule.
- LPA plays a significant role in mediating cancer progression within the tumor microenvironment.
- Chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment contributes to cancer development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of LPA as a mediator of cancer progression.
- To investigate the potential of targeting LPA signaling pathways in cancer therapy.
- To evaluate the impact of LPA-targeting therapies on chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on LPA signaling in cancer.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical data on LPA-targeting agents.
- Examination of the relationship between LPA, inflammation, and cancer progression.
Main Results:
- LPA is identified as a potent mediator of cancer progression.
- LPA signaling pathways are druggable targets, with therapies currently in clinical trials for fibrosis.
- Targeting LPA may attenuate chronic inflammation, a key factor in the tumor microenvironment.
- These therapies show potential to enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- The anti-inflammatory effects are independent of specific cancer cell mutations.
Conclusions:
- LPA is a critical factor in cancer progression via the tumor microenvironment.
- Targeting LPA signaling presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.
- LPA-targeted therapies could improve outcomes for various cancer types by modulating inflammation.
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