Targeting syndecans: A promising strategy for the treatment of cancer

Sojoong Choi, Duk Hee Kang, Eok Soo Oh

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Syndecans are cell surface adhesion receptors that play important functional roles. Their deregulation has been linked to several pathologies, and their aberrant regulation via diverse mechanisms is critically involved in the pathogenesis of various cancers. Similar to other receptors, syndecan functions are altered by ligand binding, overexpression, and extracellular domain shedding. These regulatory mechanisms may suggest new strategies for specifically controlling cancer cells. Areas covered: In this review, we describe the biological functions of syndecans in cancer, discuss their potential therapeutic relevance, and examine the current syndecan-targeting therapeutic options. Expert opinion: Since syndecans have diverse, specific, and novel regulatory functions in various cancers, therapeutic control of syndecan function has become an attractive approach for potential anticancer strategies. Syndecan and its associated proteins may also be strong candidate markers for the diagnosis and management of cancer, potentially opening a new era in cancer treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)695-705
Number of pages11
JournalExpert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea Government (MEST) (No. 2012R1A5A1048236) and a grant of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (A120071).

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Cancer therapy
  • Extracellular matrix
  • Syndecan
  • Syndecan shedding
  • Syndecan-mediated signal transduction

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