Endoglin (CD105): a powerful therapeutic target on tumor-associated angiogenetic blood vessels

Fonsatti, Ester
Altomonte, Maresa
Nicotra, Maria Rita
Natali, Pier Giorgio
Maio, Michele

¹Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientific, Aviano 33081, Italy; ²Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome 00156, Italy; ³Laboratory of Immunology, Centro Ricerca Sperimentale Istituto Regina Elena, Rome 00158, Italy

Oncogene (2003) 22, 6557-6563. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1206813

*Correspondence: M Maio, Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, I.R.C.C.S., Via Pedemontana Occ.le, 12, Aviano, Italy. 33081; E-mail: [email protected]

Oncogene 22(42):p 6557-6563, September 29, 2003.

Among surface molecules expressed on endothelial cells, endoglin (CD105) is emerging as a prime vascular target for antiangiogenetic cancer therapy. CD105 is a cell membrane glycoprotein mainly expressed on endothelial cells and overexpressed on tumor-associated vascular endothelium, which functions as an accessory component of the transforming growth factor -β receptor complex and is involved in vascular development and remodelling. Quantification of intratumoral microvessel density by CD105 staining and of circulating soluble CD105 has been suggested to have prognostic significance in selected neoplasias. In addition, the potential usefulness of CD105 in tumor imaging and antiangiogenetic therapy has been well documented utilizing different animal models.