The Role of Protein SFRP2 on Human Cancers and New Clue for Drug Development
When researchers tried to find an alternative to the anti-tumor drug—Avastin (bevacizumab) that target on VEGF to inhibit angiogenesis, they found more roles of SFRP2, especially as a stimulator of angiogenesis.
Protein SFRP2, secreted frizzed-related protein 2, according to the previous studies, contains a cysteine-rich domain homologous to the putative Wnt-binding site of Frizzled proteins. SFRPs act as soluble modulators of Wnt signaling. Methylation of this gene is a potential marker for the presence of colorectal cancer.
They microdissected blood vessels from malignant human breast cancers and compared gene expression to blood vessels microdissected from normal tissue. They found a number of genes that were highly over-expressed in the malignant blood vessels compared to normal. One of those genes was SFRP2. With more studies, they found that SFRP2 is expressed in many other human tumors, such as breast, prostate, lung, pancreas, ovarian, kidney etc.
Based on their findings, they developed a monoclonal antibody targeting on SFRP2 in pre-clinical models and the tumor growth rare reduced. This is the first therapeutic antibody that targets SFRP2.
Their new discovery broadens the range for scientists to study human cancers, suppression mechanism as well as the development of new drug.
The antibodies or related agents mentioned in the study are available at Creative BioMart.
Article Link: The Role of Protein SFRP2 on Human Cancers and New Clue for Drug Development
Tags: Protein SFRP2, VEGF, Monoclonal Antibody
