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Elucidating the Cell Surfaceome to Accelerate Cancer Drug Development
1Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York.
Summary:
Cell surface proteins represent ideal therapeutic targets because of their accessibility to antibodies, T cell-directed therapies, and radiotherapies, but there are only 25 therapeutically relevant cell surface targets for which cancer therapies are approved in the United States or European Union. This commentary calls for intensified research into mapping the universe of cell surface proteins - the cell surfaceome - in order to accelerate cancer drug development.
Insights
Identifying more cell surface proteins is crucial for developing new cancer therapies. Intensified research into the cell surfaceome will accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for cancer drug development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Proteomics
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Cell surface proteins are accessible targets for antibody, T cell, and radiation therapies.
- Currently, only 25 cell surface targets have approved cancer therapies in the US or EU.
- A limited number of targets hinders the development of effective cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the unmet need for novel cell surface protein targets in cancer therapy.
- To advocate for comprehensive mapping of the cell surfaceome.
- To accelerate the development of new cancer drugs by expanding the target repertoire.
Main Methods:
- This is a commentary, not a research study; therefore, no specific methods were employed.
- The commentary discusses the current landscape of cell surface protein targets.
- It emphasizes the need for future research and discovery.
Main Results:
- There is a significant gap between the potential of cell surface proteins as therapeutic targets and the number of approved drugs.
- The limited number of validated targets restricts therapeutic options for cancer patients.
- A comprehensive understanding of the cell surfaceome is lacking.
Conclusions:
- Mapping the cell surfaceome is essential for advancing cancer drug development.
- Increased research efforts are needed to identify and validate new cell surface targets.
- Expanding the repertoire of therapeutically relevant cell surface proteins will improve patient outcomes.
