Cathepsin L, target in cancer treatment?

Abstract

Cathepsin L, a cysteine protease, is considered to be a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment. Proteases are involved in the development and progression of cancer. Inhibition of activity of specific proteases may slow down cancer progression. In this review, we evaluate recent studies on the inhibition of cathepsin L in cancer. The effects of cathepsin L inhibition as a monotherapy on apoptosis and angiogenesis in cancer are ambiguous. Cathepsin L inhibition seems to reduce invasion and metastasis, but there is concern that selective cathepsin L inhibition induces compensatory activity by other cathepsins. The combination of cathepsin L inhibition with conventional chemotherapy seems to be more promising and has yielded more consistent results. Future research should be focused on the mechanisms and effects of this combination therapy.

• Authors: Jacqueline M Lankelma, Daniëlle M Voorend, Temo Barwari, Joris Koetsveld, Anne H Van der Spek, Alexander P N A De Porto, Geeske Van Rooijen, Cornelis J F Van Noorden
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 86 Issue 7-8 Pg. 225-33 (Feb 13 2010) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19958782 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Neoplasm Proteins
• CTSL protein, human
• Cathepsin L

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cathepsin L (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasm Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, enzymology)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (drug therapy, enzymology)