title: Endoglin for tumor imaging and targeted cancer therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although cancer treatment has evolved substantially in the past decades, cancer-related mortality rates are still increasing. Therapies targeting tumor angiogenesis, crucial for the growth of solid tumors, mainly target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and have been clinically applied during the last decade. However, these therapies have not met high expectations, which were based on therapeutic efficacy in animal models. This can partly be explained by the upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways. Therefore, additional therapies targeting other pro-angiogenic pathways are needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway plays an important role in (tumor) angiogenesis. Therefore, components of this pathway are interesting candidates for anti-angiogenic therapy. Endoglin, a co-receptor for various TGF-β family members, is specifically overexpressed in tumor vessels and endoglin expression is associated with metastasis and patient survival. Therefore, endoglin might be a good candidate for anti-angiogenic therapy. In this review, we discuss the potential of using endoglin to target the tumor vasculature for imaging and therapeutic purposes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the promising results from various in vitro studies, in vivo animal models and the first clinical trial targeting endoglin, we are convinced that endoglin is a valuable tool for the diagnosis, visualization and ultimately treatment of solid cancers.
authors: Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands and Centre for BioMedical Genetics, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Building-2, S1-P, PO-box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Madelon
authors: M
authors: Paauwe
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: ten Dijke
authors: Lukas J A C
authors: LJ
authors: Hawinkels
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D000071063:Endoglin; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface