Targeting p120 Catenin Function to Block Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Reference #:

2005-297

Inventors/Contributors

Panagiotis Z. Anastasiadis, Ph.D., Masahiro Yanagisawa, M.D., Ph.D.

Description

p120 catenin is a protein involved in holding cells together by promoting cell-cell adhesion. However, in cancer, p120 catenin often mislocalizes, promoting both the spread (invasion/metastasis) and the growth of cancer cells. Expression of small p120 protein fragments potently suppresses cancer cell invasion. Similarly, depletion of p120 blocks invasiveness of tumor cells and inhibits their growth. Our findings indicate that p120 is a relevant therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Specifically, p120 fragments can be delivered into cancer cells using a variety of approaches (viral delivery, trojan peptides, etc.), as a therapeutic treatment for blocking tumor growth, invasiveness and progression to metastasis. A second therapeutic approach involves the generation of p120 mimetic agents (RNA, DNA, antibodies, small molecules, etc.) generated to mimic the action of p120 fragments, while a third approach involves the delivery of p120-specific shRNAs to block invasion and tumor growth. We expect that these treatments will affect tumor cells but not normal tissue.

Patent Status

None