Save
Email
Print
ShareJune 21, 2008 — A team led by Dr. Ji-Kun Li has determined that AMD3100, originally developed in acquired immune deficiency syndrome treatment, could markedly inhibit spreading of colorectal cancer cells by blocking a new pair of ligands and its unique receptor. This effect differs from the usual inhibition by a conventional chemotherapic agent that is more specific to cancer cells with high metastatic potential.
In vitro, AMD3100 has shown a significantly inhibitory effect on invasion and migration in colorectal cancer cell line. This effect can be further enhanced at higher concentration. This study was performed by a team led by Professor Ji-Kun Li from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related death in the world. The mortality of CRC is principally attributed to the development of liver and other metastases. It may be helpful for doctors to find a new biomarker that predicts early recurrence or distant organ metastasis. There is also a pressing need for more effective treatments for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
In the view of the authors, their research has shown elevated CXCR4 (a new receptor on cancer cells) expression in primary CRC is associated with liver and lymph node metastasis, which prompts them to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon. They also found AMD3100 had significant antitumor activity through regulating pathways downstream of CXCR4 and impaired formation of tumor micro vessels and expression of invasive associated genes.
Inhibition of CRC cells survival and metastatic spread by interfering with the ligand- receptor axis has been successful in vitro. Though these data do not necessarily predict a satisfactory outcome of clinical trials, they provide a novel strategy based on this new molecule pair.
Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by World Journal of Gastroenterology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- Li et al. Inhibition of CXCR4 activity with AMD3100 decreases invasion of human colorectal cancer cells in vitro. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008; 14 (15): 2308 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.2308
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
more 
