title: A prognostic gene signature in advanced ovarian cancer reveals a microfibril-associated protein (MAGP2) as a promoter of tumor cell survival and angiogenesis.
abstract: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer, and this is largely related to its late diagnosis. High grade serous cancers often initially respond to chemotherapy, resulting in a better survival rate, compared to other ovarian carcinoma subtypes. We review recent work identifying a survival-associated gene expression profile for advanced serous ovarian cancer. Within this signature, the authors identified MAGP2, also known as microfibrillar associated protein 5 (MFAP5), as a highly significant indicator of survival and chemosensitivity. MAGP2 is a multifunctional secreted protein--important for elastic microfibril assembly and modulating endothelial cell behavior--with a newly identified role in cell survival. Through alpha(V)beta(3) integrin-mediated signaling, MAGP2 promotes tumor and endothelial cell survival and endothelial cell motility, providing a potential mechanistic link between MAGP2 and angiogenesis as well as patient survival.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Spivey
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banyard
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