In a study published in journal Nature, researchers showed that Netrin- 1, a molecule expressed by tumor cells in different types of cancers, stimulates the Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells and a drug targeting Netrin-1 blocks EMT in cancer.
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which cancer cells detach from their neighboring cells and acquire invasive properties.
- EMT plays a key role in the formation of metastases and the development of resistance to anti-cancer treatments. To date, there is no therapy targeting EMT in cancer.
- Researchers found that cancer cells presenting EMT express high levels of Netrin-1 and its receptor UNC5B. Researchers have shown that increasing Netrin-1 promotes EMT while targeting Netrin-1 decreases EMT.
- In mouse models and a first-in-human trial, blocking netrin-1 with a humanized monoclonal antibody, NP137, prevents a cellular change called the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and inhibits tumour growth.
