ENDOGLIN – A PROMISING TARGET IN ANTI-CANCER THERAPY?

Cancer is a global problem and one of the leading causes death worldwide. The mechanism carcinogenesis complicated still being explored. It known, however, that growth development cancer depends to large extent on formation network new blood vessels within tumor, which provide cells with optimal access nutrients oxygen. process by existing form ones called angiogenesis, it triggered during tumorigenesis. So far, number factors stimulate angiogenesis in tumors have been described. Endoglin, also known as CD105 antigen, these factors. membrane protein, characteristic for active, proliferating endothelial cells, functions co-receptor TGFβ family. Endoglin has shown be involved many cancers its presence often correlates an unfavorable course disease. This made target anti-cancer therapy. Phase I/II/III clinical trials are currently underway confirm therapeutic usefulness anti-endoglin TRC105 antibodies. However, results obtained so far not unambiguous. Nevertheless, innovative treatment strategies, such vaccine or use antibody-drug conjugates, developed appear promising.