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Molecule Common to Cancer & Arthritis

International research team identifies cadherin-11, a molecule that is overproduced in a variety of cancers as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

A molecule that helps cells stick together is significantly over-produced in two very different diseases — rheumatoid arthritis and a variety of cancers, including breast and brain tumors, concludes a new study. Stephen W. Wyers, from the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (Washington DC, USA), and colleagues have identified cadherin-11, which is overexpressed in 15% of breast cancers and in many glioblastomas, and may be a major contributor to pancreatic cancer as well. Further, one subset of the study investigators developed a small molecule agent to shut down cadherin-11 in cancer; and a related group devised and antibody that worked in animal models of tumors that made cadherin-11.  The study authors submit that: “These data suggest that [cadherin-11] is important for malignant progression, and is a therapeutic target in arthritis and cancer with the potential for rapid clinical translation.”

Shahin Assefnia, Sivanesan Dakshanamurthy, Jaime M. Guidry Auvil,  Constanze Hampel, Panos Z. Anastasiadis, Stephen W. Byers, et al.  “Cadherin-11 in poor prognosis malignancies and rheumatoid arthritis: common target, common therapies.” Oncotarget, 15 Nov. 2013.

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