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Modulating Tumor Extracellular Matrix by Simultaneous Inhibition of Two Cancer Cell Receptors

Weizhi Chen1, Yang Yuan1, Cheng Li1

  • 1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|December 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Blocking cancer cell signaling disrupts tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). Targeting receptors with novel conjugates inhibits and reverses tumor microenvironment remodeling, offering a new cancer therapy strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in cellular functions and disease pathology.
  • Current research primarily examines how cancer cells respond to ECM changes, with limited understanding of how cancer cells initiate ECM alterations.
  • Cancer cells actively remodel their microenvironment, contributing to tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how cancer cells initiate changes in the tumor extracellular matrix.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting cancer cell signaling to modulate the tumor ECM.
  • To determine if inhibiting cancer cell-mediated ECM remodeling can impact tumor progression.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing recombinant proteins (RPs) and recombinant protein-drug conjugates (RPDCs).
  • Simultaneously targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor and integrin on cancer cells.
  • Assessing the impact of these targeted therapies on tumor ECM structure and composition.

Main Results:

  • Blocking cancer cell signaling effectively disrupts the tumor extracellular matrix.
  • Multireceptor-mediated modulation of tumor ECM inhibits and reverses tumor-induced microenvironmental remodeling.
  • Demonstrated the ability of RPs and RPDCs to alter the physiological and structural microenvironment of tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer cells play a significant role in creating a protumoral microenvironment through ECM modulation.
  • Targeting cancer cell signaling pathways offers a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Recombinant protein-drug conjugates present a promising platform for inhibiting ECM remodeling and treating cancer.
Keywords:
drug deliverydrug distributiontumor environmenttumor extracellular matrix

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