Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

SPARC in Tumor Pathophysiology and as a Potential Therapeutic Target

Author(s): Jianguo Feng and Liling Tang

Volume 20, Issue 39, 2014

Page: [6182 - 6190] Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/1381612820666140619123255

Price: $65

Abstract

Cell migration and metastasis greatly contribute to the progression of tumors. Secreted Protein and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC), as a multi-faceted protein, is highly expressed in highly metastatic tumors while low or undetectable in less metastatic types with aberrant promoter methylation. In highly metastatic tumors, such as glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer, SPARC promotes bone metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In contrast, this protein acts as an anti-tumor factor in anti-angiogenesis, pro-apoptosis, cell proliferation inhibition and cell cycle arrest in less metastatic tumors, such as neuroblastoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and gastric cancer. Here, we summarize and analyze the paradoxical role of SPARC in different tumors. We believe that further studies on truncated, alternative splicing variants and signal peptide of SPARC are required to elucidate the distinct effects. Most notably, SPARC variants probably play a crucial role in regulation of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) induced EMT. This review also provides strategies to target or use SPARC (full-length, truncated and splicing variants) for therapeutic purposes.

Keywords: Bone metastasis, EMT, highly metastatic tumors, less metastatic tumors, SPARC.


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy