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MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent
Published on: September 3, 2013
Desmocollin-3 Is a Novel Target Receptor for Targeted Drug Delivery for Malignant Prostate Cancer
Vipin Sharma1, Bharat Lohiya1, Hanni Grace Francis1
1Laboratory for Immunology and Cancer Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.
Pharmaceutics
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Researchers discovered a novel peptide, Pr10, that targets Desmocollin-3 (DSC3) on prostate cancer cells. This peptide effectively delivers drugs to kill cancer cells, offering a new avenue for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Prostate cancer (PrC) treatment is hindered by tumor heterogeneity.
- Limited ligands exist for targeted drug delivery in PrC.
- Novel strategies are needed to target PrC effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover and characterize peptides that specifically internalize into PrC tumors.
- To validate the therapeutic potential of a selected peptide, Pr10.
- To identify the specific receptor for Pr10 on PrC cells.
Main Methods:
- Phage display screening for PrC-specific peptides.
- In vitro and in vivo validation of Pr10 for drug delivery.
- Biochemical, proteomic, and in silico studies to identify the Pr10 receptor.
Main Results:
- Identified Pr10 as a peptide that specifically internalizes into PrC tumors.
- Confirmed Desmocollin-3 (DSC3) as the functional receptor for Pr10.
- Demonstrated Pr10's ability to deliver cytotoxic drugs and kill PrC cells in vitro and in xenografts.
Conclusions:
- DSC3 is a novel, functional receptor on malignant prostate cancer cells.
- Pr10 is an effective and PrC-selective ligand for targeted drug delivery.
- Unbiased screening can identify novel cancer drug targets and delivery systems.
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