Cathepsin B: A sellsword of cancer progression. (1st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mijanović, Olja; Branković, Ana; Panin, Alexander N.; Savchuk, Solomiia; Timashev, Peter; Ulasov, Ilya; Lesniak, Maciej S.
• Is Part Of: Cancer letters. Volume 449(2019)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 214
• Publication Date: 2019-05-01
• Subjects: Cathepsin B -- Tumor -- Migration -- Autophagy; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3835

Abstract

Abstract: Clinical, biochemical and molecular biology studies have identified lysosome-encapsulated cellular proteases as critical risk factors for cancer progression. Cathepsins represent a group of such proteases aimed at maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Nevertheless, recent reports suggest that Cathepsin B executes other cellular programs such as controlling tumor growth, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastases development. In fact, elevated levels of Cathepsins are found under different pathological conditions including inflammation, infection, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. Furthermore, the discovery of Cathepsin B secretion and function as an extracellular matrix protein has broadened our appreciation for the impact of Cathepsin B on cancer progression. Underneath a façade of an intracellular protease with limited therapeutic potential hides a central role of cathepsins in extracellular functions. Moreover, this role is incredibly diverse from one condition to the next – from driving caspase-dependent apoptosis to facilitating tumor neovascularization and metastasis. Here we discuss the role of Cathepsin B in the oncogenic process and perspective the use of Cathepsin B for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Highlights: Cathepsins represent a group of cysteine proteases. Cathepsins maintain homeostais in normal and pathological states of the cell. Cathepsin B role in anticancer therapy is diverse. Modulation of Cathepsin B regulates autophagy.