title: ADAM proteins - therapeutic potential in cancer.
abstract: The A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) proteins belong to the metzincin-superfamily of Zn-dependent metalloproteinases that shed the extracellular domains of membrane-bound growth factors, cytokines and their receptors. The latter play a central role in cell signaling and contribute a potential target in cancer therapy. Of particular interest are the ErBB/HER family of growth factor receptors associated with elevated intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Overexpression of ADAMs and cell signaling components have also been implicated in the development and progression of a variety of tumor types. Emerging evidence has suggested that the ADAM proteins are involved in tumour cell proliferation, in angiogenesis as well as metastasis. Therefore, strategies targeting ADAMs may constitute an important target for the design of cancer drugs. The review will focus on current understanding of the role of ADAM in the physiological and pathological functions associated with cancer. It is the intention of the review to provide insights which may assist in the development of ADAM-based approaches for the treatment of human cancers.
authors.affiliation: Thrombosis Research Institute, London, UK. xlu@tri-london.ac.uk
authors.forename: Xinjie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kakkar
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D051722:ADAM Proteins