Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion
05:48

Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion

Published on: March 18, 2014

10.1K

Collagen I is the effective therapeutic target for treating desmoid tumors

Yehyeong Lee1,2, Yonghyo Kim1, Chankyoung Lee1,2

  • 1Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT).

Anti-Cancer Drugs
|November 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Halofuginone hydrobromide (HH) effectively inhibited desmoid tumor growth in mouse models. This collagen I-targeting compound also showed promise against colorectal cancer, suggesting a new therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Desmoid tumors (aggressive fibromatosis) are connective tissue neoplasms characterized by local invasion.
  • Current treatments for desmoid tumors are limited, and their underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Frequent mutations in Wnt pathway components and Trp53 are observed in desmoid tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel therapeutic strategies for desmoid tumors.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of desmoid tumor development.
  • To identify effective anticancer agents targeting desmoid tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Developed mouse models (Apc1638N/+, Apc1638N/+/Trp53-/-) mimicking desmoid tumor mutations.
  • Established primary desmoid tumor cells from these mouse models.
  • Screened 3120 FDA-approved compounds to identify potential therapeutic agents.

Main Results:

  • Identified halofuginone hydrobromide (HH), a collagen I inhibitor, as a potent inhibitor of desmoid tumor cell growth.
  • HH demonstrated significant anticancer effects on both Apc1638N/+ and Apc1638N/+/Trp53-/- desmoid tumor cells.
  • HH also exhibited efficacy against colorectal cancer cells and intestinal tumor organoids.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting collagen I represents a promising therapeutic strategy for desmoid tumors.
  • Halofuginone hydrobromide shows potential as a treatment for desmoid tumors and colorectal cancer.
  • Further research into collagen I as a therapeutic target is warranted for these malignancies.
Keywords:
antitumor therapycollagen Icolorectal cancerdesmoid tumorhalofuginone hydrobromide

More Related Videos

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo10:24

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo

Published on: May 9, 2016

17.7K
Doxycycline Loaded Collagen-Chitosan Composite Scaffold for the Accelerated Healing of Diabetic Wounds10:49

Doxycycline Loaded Collagen-Chitosan Composite Scaffold for the Accelerated Healing of Diabetic Wounds

Published on: August 21, 2021

4.9K

Related Concept Videos

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...
8.6K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.6K
Fibril-associated Collagen01:11

Fibril-associated Collagen

Fibril-associated collagens are a type of collagens present in the extracellular matrix with interrupted triple helices or FACIT (Fibril-associated collagens interrupted triple-helices). FACIT help connect and attach the collagen fibrils with each other as well as with other proteins of the extracellular matrix.
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
3.2K
Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM01:13

Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM

Three main types of fibers are secreted by fibroblasts: collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers. Collagen fiber is made from fibrous protein subunits linked together to form a long, straight fiber. Collagen fibers, while flexible, have great tensile strength, resist stretching, and give ligaments and tendons their characteristic resilience and strength. These fibers hold connective tissues together, even during the body's movement.
Connective tissue proper includes loose...
5.6K
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM01:23

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult...
3.2K