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A novel therapeutic drug for colon cancer: Ep CAM sc F v‐truncated protamine (tp)‐si RNA
Author(s) -
Hao Huiwen,
Zhen Yansen,
Wang Zaicun,
Chen Fulin,
Xie Xin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1002/cbin.10112
Subject(s) - wnt signaling pathway , epithelial cell adhesion molecule , colorectal cancer , cancer research , cancer , carcinogenesis , signal transduction , biology , chemistry , antibody , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Colon cancer is a type of malignant tumor that causes considerable mortality worldwide. Epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM), a tumor‐associated antigen of colon tumors, is a target for colon cancer therapy. EpCAM‐specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been applied in human colon cancer since the 1990s; however, the therapeutic effects are limited. EpCAM activates nuclear signaling pathways by releasing its intracellular domain (EpICD). The released EpICD stimulates the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, which is also strongly associated with tumorigenesis. EpCAM is also a target gene of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. EpCAM and the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway form a functional interaction cycle in colon cancer. Thus, we propose a new therapeutic drug for colon cancer: an EpCAM single‐chain fragment variable antibody (scFv)‐truncated protamine‐siRNA. EpCAM scFv can recognize and bind colon cancer cells through its EpCAM antigen activity. Furthermore, the specific siRNA transferred into colon cancer cells specifically inhibits Wnt/β‐catenin signal transmission. Therefore, this new drug may efficiently interrupt the functional cycle between EpCAM and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and be an effective therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.