Review Article

Targeting Legumain As a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Cancers

Author(s): Chun-Wai Mai*, Felicia Fei-Lei Chung and Chee-Onn Leong

Volume 18, Issue 11, 2017

Page: [1259 - 1268] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1389450117666161216125344

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Recent reports indicate that the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in cancer development and progression, leading to a paradigm shift in the way cancer is studied and targeted. In contrast to traditional approaches, where only tumor cells are targeted for the treatment, an emerging approach is to develop therapeutics which target the tumor microenvironment while complementing or enhancing current treatments. Legumain (LGMN) is a newly identified target which is highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment and in tumor cells, and holds potential both as a biomarker and as a therapeutic target.

Conclusion: This review will be the first to summarize the expression of LGMN in common cancers, as well as its roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review also discusses the current developments and future prospects of targeting LGMN through the development of DNA vaccines, azopeptides, small molecule inhibitors and LGMN activated prodrugs, highlighting the potential of LGMN as a target for cancer therapeutics.

Keywords: Legumain, cancer, tumor microenvironment, vaccine, azo-peptide, small molecules, prodrug.

Graphical Abstract

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