Targeting the embryonic gene Cripto-1 in cancer and beyond.

ABSTRACT:

Importance of the field

Emerging evidence has clearly implicated an inappropriate activation of embryonic regulatory genes during cell transformation in adult tissues. An example of such a case is the embryonic gene Cripto-1. Cripto-1 is critical for embryonic development and is considered a marker of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. Critpo-1 is expressed at low levels in adult tissues, but is re-expressed at a high frequency in a number of different types of human carcinomas, therefore, representing an attractive therapeutic target in cancer.

Area covered in this review

This review surveys different approaches that have been used to target Cripto-1 in cancer as reflected by the relevant patent literature as well as peer-reviewed publications. Potential involvement and

SUBMITTER: Bianco C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3059560 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature