Neuropilin-2: Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Abstract

The focus of this proposal is Neuropilin-2 (NRP2), a VEGF receptor that is not expressed in normal prostate but is expressed in prostate cancer and correlates with Gleason grade. We demonstrated that PTEN deletion induces NRP2 expression and propose that NRP2 contributes to the function of prostate cancer stem cells and tumor formation. We also discovered that NRP2 facilitates the expression of Bmi-1, a transcriptional repressor, and that NRP2 suppresses the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) by a mechanism that involves transcriptional repression by Bmi-1. We have obtained preliminary evidence that targeting NRP2 directly on tumor cells in combination with IGF-1R inhibition is effective treating aggressive prostate carcinoma and pursuing this possibility more rigorously. The role of VEGF/NRP2 signaling in the function of prostate cancer stem cells and tumor initiation is also being investigated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA599091

Entities

People

  • Arthur M Mercurio

Organizations

  • University of Massachusetts Medical School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Factors
  • Breast Cancer
  • Carcinoma
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Colon Cancer
  • Genetics
  • Neoplasms
  • Oncology
  • Peptide Growth Factors
  • Peptides
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Proteins
  • Skin Cancer
  • Stem Cells

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology