title: Aminopeptidase N (CD13) as a target for cancer chemotherapy.
abstract: The enzyme aminopeptidase N (APN, also known as CD13) is a Zn(2+) dependent membrane-bound ectopeptidase that degrades preferentially proteins and peptides with a N-terminal neutral amino acid. Aminopeptidase N has been associated with the growth of different human cancers and suggested as a suitable target for anti-cancerous therapy. Different approaches have been used to develop new drugs directed to this target, including enzyme inhibitors as well as APN-targeted carrier constructs. This review discusses the prevalence and possible function of APN in malignant diseases, mainly solid tumors, as well as its "drugability" evaluated in preclinical in vivo models, and also provides a brief overview of current clinical trials focused on APN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Malin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wickström
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nygren
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gullbo
mesh_terms: D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007930:Leucine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; C526428:NGR peptide; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D018826:CD13 Antigens; D007930:Leucine; C012211:ubenimex; C531970:tosedostat; D005998:Glycine