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ADAM28: Another ambivalent protease in cancer
Céline Hubeau1, Natacha Rocks2, Didier Cataldo3
1Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Abstract:
Emergence of novel therapeutic options in a perspective of personalized therapy of cancer relies on the discovery of precise molecular mechanisms involved in the switch from a localized tumor to invasive metastasis spread. Pro-tumor functions have been mostly ascribed to proteolytic enzymes from the metalloproteinase family including A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinases (ADAMs). Particularly, when expressed by cancer cells, ADAM28 protease supports cancer cell proliferation, survival and migration as well as metastatic progression. In sharp contrast, ADAM28 derived from the tumor microenvironment has shown to exert strong protective effects against deleterious metastasis dissemination. Indeed, depletion of host-derived ADAM28 (ADAM28 KO mice) accelerates colonization lung tissues, increases tumor foci implantation, and impairs T cell immune response. In this review, we outline specific ADAM28 functions when specifically expressed by carcinoma cells or by tumor microenvironment. Finally, we discuss about future research strategies that could be pursued to highlight new functions of this protease in cancer.
Insights
A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (ADAM) 28 protease has dual roles in cancer. Cancer cell-expressed ADAM28 promotes metastasis, while tumor microenvironment-derived ADAM28 offers protection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Personalized cancer therapy requires understanding molecular mechanisms of metastasis.
- Proteolytic enzymes, particularly A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinases (ADAMs), are implicated in cancer progression.
- ADAM28 is a metalloproteinase with known roles in cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the distinct functions of ADAM28 based on its cellular origin (cancer cells vs. tumor microenvironment).
- To highlight the contrasting roles of ADAM28 in cancer metastasis and immune response.
- To propose future research directions for ADAM28 in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating ADAM28 in various cancer contexts.
- Analysis of experimental data from ADAM28 knockout (KO) mouse models.
- Comparative assessment of ADAM28 functions when expressed by tumor cells versus the host microenvironment.
Main Results:
- ADAM28 expressed by cancer cells enhances proliferation, survival, migration, and metastasis.
- ADAM28 from the tumor microenvironment inhibits metastasis and supports T cell immune response.
- ADAM28 KO mice exhibit accelerated lung colonization, increased tumor foci, and impaired immunity.
Conclusions:
- ADAM28 exhibits context-dependent functions in cancer, acting as a pro-tumorigenic factor when produced by cancer cells and an anti-metastatic factor when derived from the tumor microenvironment.
- Targeting ADAM28 offers potential for novel cancer therapeutics, depending on its source.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate ADAM28's multifaceted roles in cancer progression and immunity.
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