Caveolae: mining little caves for new cancer targets.
Caveolae exist at cell surfaces as caveolin-coated invaginations that perform transport and signalling functions influencing cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and transvascular exchange. Caveolin could constitute a key switch in tumour development through its function as a tumour suppressor and as a promoter of metastasis, chemoresistance and survival. Targeting of drugs and gene vectors to tissue-specific proteins in caveolae allows selective delivery into vascular endothelial cells in vivo and might even improve direct access to solid-tumour cells. Therefore, caveolae seem to be rich in potential targets for cancer imaging and therapeutics.
Carver
Lucy A
LA
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Division of Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis, 10835 Altman Row, San Diego, California 92121, USA.
Schnitzer
Jan E
JE
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001692:Biological Transport; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D021941:Caveolae / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents