title: Three are better than one: plasminogen receptors as cancer theranostic targets.
abstract: Activation of plasminogen on the cell surface initiates a cascade of protease activity with important implications for several physiological and pathological events. In particular, components of the plasminogen system participate in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Plasminogen receptors are in fact expressed on the cell surface of most tumors, and their expression frequently correlates with cancer diagnosis, survival and prognosis. Notably, they can trigger multiple specific immune responses in cancer patients, highlighting their role as tumor-associated antigens. In this review, three of the most characterized plasminogen receptors involved in tumorigenesis, namely Annexin 2 (ANX2), Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and alpha-Enolase (ENOA), are analyzed to ascertain an overall view of their role in the most common cancers. This analysis emphasizes the possibility of delineating new personalized therapeutic strategies to counteract tumor growth and metastasis by targeting plasminogen receptors, as well as their potential application as cancer predictors.
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy.|Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ceruti
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy.|Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Moitza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Principe
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy.|Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capello
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy.|Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cappello
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy.|Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Novelli