Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

15.6K

MDA-9/Syntenin as a therapeutic cancer metastasis target: current molecular and preclinical understanding

Swadesh K Das1,2,3, Paul B Fisher1,2,3

  • 1VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|March 8, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Metastasis, a major cause of cancer death, requires new therapies. Targeting melanoma differentiation-associated gene-9 (MDA-9/Syntenin) shows promise for developing potent anti-metastatic agents.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Metastasis Research

Background:

  • Metastasis is a primary driver of cancer morbidity and mortality, with current therapies often inadequate.
  • Genomic heterogeneity between primary tumors and metastases complicates targeted therapy development.
  • Existing immunotherapies face challenges including toxicity, immune resistance, and tumor microenvironment (TME) factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify critical molecular targets for developing effective anti-metastatic agents.
  • To investigate the role of melanoma differentiation-associated gene-9 (MDA-9/Syntenin) in cancer metastasis.
  • To explore the potential of targeting MDA-9/Syntenin for novel anti-cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic analysis of primary and metastatic tumor clones.
  • Investigation of signaling pathways involved in the metastatic cascade.
  • Evaluation of MDA-9/Syntenin expression and function in cancer progression.

Main Results:

  • Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-9 (MDA-9/Syntenin) is highly expressed and crucial for cancer progression.
  • MDA-9/Syntenin interacts with other metastasis-associated molecules and pathways.
  • First-in-class inhibitors targeting MDA-9/Syntenin are emerging and show therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting MDA-9/Syntenin represents a promising strategy for developing novel anti-metastatic therapies.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of MDA-9/Syntenin is key to overcoming therapeutic challenges in metastatic cancer.
  • Further development of MDA-9/Syntenin inhibitors could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with advanced cancers.
Keywords:
MDA-9/Syntenin/SDCBPMetastasis-continuumangiogenesisanoikisinvasionprotein-protein interactionssmall molecule inhibitorstumor microenvironment (TME)

More Related Videos

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis07:41

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis

Published on: March 8, 2022

2.4K
Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases09:48

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases

Published on: August 23, 2024

305

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...