Proteases and Their Inhibitors in Cancer Metastasis


Book Description

In recent years, serine proteases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have gained considerable attention in tumor biology. For most of these proteases, their expression is a reliable indication of ongoing tissue remodeling. This book provides a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanisms of action of proteases and their inhibitors in tumor biology. The first part provides the reader with a selective overview of the molecular biology of serine proteases, MMPs and their physiological inhibitors. The most important proteases and their physiological as well as synthetic inhibitors are evaluated in the most relevant models of experimental and human cancer. The clinical aspects are also taken into account. This volume offers an update on this challenging aspect of cancer treatment, its interest bias, and possible clinical implication.




Cancer-Leading Proteases


Book Description

Cancer-Leading Proteases: Structures, Functions, and Inhibition presents a detailed discussion on the role of proteases as drug targets and how they have been utilized to develop anticancer drugs. Proteases possess outstanding diversity in their functions. Because of their unique properties, proteases are a major focus of attention for the pharmaceutical industry as potential drug targets or as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This book covers the structure and functions of proteases and the chemical and biological rationale of drug design relating to how these proteases can be exploited to find useful chemotherapeutics to fight cancers. In addition, the book encompasses the experimental and theoretical aspects of anticancer drug design based on proteases. It is a useful resource for pharmaceutical scientists, medicinal chemists, biochemists, microbiologists, and cancer researchers working on proteases.




Cell Surface Proteases


Book Description

Cell Surface Proteases provides a comprehensive overview of these important enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of a protein as it degrades to a simpler substance. In the 1990s, an explosion of new discoveries shed light on the role of cell surface proteases and extended it beyond degradation of extracellular matrix components to include its influence on growth factors, cell signaling, and other cellular events. This volume unites the scientific literature from across disciplines and teases out unified themes of interactions between cell surface proteases and interconnecting cell surface-related systems -- including integrins and other adhesion molecules. Scientists and students involved in developmental biology, cell biology and disease processes will find this an indispensable resource.* Provides an overview of the entire field of cell surface proteases in a single volume* Presents major issues and astonishing discoveries at the forefront of modern developmental biology and developmental medicine * A thematic volume in the longest-running forum for contemporary issues in developmental biology with over 30 years of coverage




Extracellular Targeting of Cell Signaling in Cancer


Book Description

International experts present innovative therapeutic strategies to treat cancer patients and prevent disease progression Extracellular Targeting of Cell Signaling in Cancer highlights innovative therapeutic strategies to treat cancer metastasis and prevent tumor progression. Currently, there are no drugs available to treat or prevent metastatic cancer other than non-selective, toxic chemotherapy. With contributions from an international panel of experts in the field, the book integrates diverse aspects of biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, proteomics, cell biology, pharmacology, biophysics, structural biology, medicinal chemistry and drug development. A large class of proteins called kinases are enzymes required by cancer cells to grow, proliferate, and survive apoptosis (death) by the immune system. Two important kinases are MET and RON which are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that initiate cell signaling pathways outside the cell surface in response to extracellular ligands (growth factors.) Both kinases are oncogenes which are required by cancer cells to migrate away from the primary tumor, invade surrounding tissue and metastasize. MET and RON reside on both cancer cells and the support cells surrounding the tumor, called the microenvironment. MET and RON are activated by their particular ligands, the growth factors HGF and MSP, respectively. Blocking MET and RON kinase activation and downstream signaling is a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing tumor progression and metastasis. Written for cancer physicians and biologists as well as drug discovery and development teams in both industry and academia, this is the first book of its kind which explores novel approaches to inhibit MET and RON kinases other than traditional small molecule kinase inhibitors. These new strategies target key tumorigenic processes on the outside of the cell, such as growth factor activation by proteases. These unique strategies have promising potential as an improved alternative to kinase inhibitors, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment.




Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy


Book Description

Cutting-edge investigators review the current status of the entire field, from the biology of MMPs through the current clinical studies. The authors include many leading scientists from pharmaceutical companies who present all the latest concepts and results on the preferred design strategies for MMP inhibitors, their molecular mechanisms, and their substrates. In addition, they fully describe their personal research on specific MMP inhibitors, detailing vanguard design strategies, their in vitro activity, the outcome of animal model studies and, where available, their toxicology, safety, efficacy in human clinical trials. Comprehensive and state-of-the-art, Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy offers basic and clinical investigators alike a richly informative summary of all the latest research on these powerful new drugs, and their high promise as emerging cancer therapeutics.




Proteases in Physiology and Pathology


Book Description

Using a multidisciplinary approach, this book describes the biochemical mechanisms associated with dysregulation of proteases and the resulting pathophysiological consequences. It highlights the role and regulation of different types of proteases as well as their synthetic and endogenous inhibitors. The role of proteases was initially thought to be limited to general metabolic digestion. However, we now know that the role of protein breakdown is much more complex, and proteases have multiple functions: they are coupled to turnover and can affect protein composition, function and synthesis. In addition to eliminating abnormal proteins, breakdown has many modulatory functions, including activating and inactivating enzymes, modulating membrane function, altering receptor channel properties, affecting transcription and cell cycles and forming active peptides. The ubiquity of proteases in nature makes them an important target for drug development. This in-depth, comprehensive is a valuable resource for researchers involved in identifying new targets for drug development. With its multidisciplinary scope, it bridges the gap between fundamental and translational research in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, making it thought-provoking reading for scientists in the field.




Proteases in Human Diseases


Book Description

This book bridges the gap between fundamental research and biomedical and pharmacological applications on proteases. It represents a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted field of proteases in cellular environment and highlights the recently elucidated functions of complex proteolytic systems in different diseases. Several established investigators have elucidated the crucial role of proteases in biological processes, including how proteolytic function and regulation can be combined to develop new strategies of therapeutic interventions. Proteases form one of the largest and most diverse families of enzymes known. It is now clear that proteases are involved in every aspect of life functions of an organism. Under physiological conditions, proteases are regulated by their endogenous inhibitors; however, when the activity of proteases is not regulated appropriately, disease processes can result in. So, there is absolute need for a stringent control of proteolytic activities in cells and tissues. Dysregulation of proteases may cause derangement of cellular signalling network resulting in different pathophysiological conditions such as vascular remodelling, atherosclerotic plaque progression, ulcer and rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer disease, cancer metastasis, tumor progression and inflammation. Additionally, many infective microorganisms require proteases for replication or use proteases as virulence factors, which have facilitated the development of protease-targeted therapies for a variety of parasitic diseases.




Handbook of Proteases in Cancer


Book Description

This handbook provides comprehensive coverage of the role of proteases and the associated biochemical pathways in cancer development and metastasis. Proteases make up about 2% of the human genome and play a critical role in the tumor microenvironment. Handbook of Proteases in Cancer: Cellular and Molecular Aspects introduces the major classes of proteases and the signal transduction mechanisms associated with cancer initiation and progression. It discusses the role of inflammation and immune responses in proteases-induced cancer. The book covers cancer-induced gene expression and apoptotic and necrotic pathways in cancer. This is useful for researchers and professionals in cancer research, biochemistry, and physiology. Key Features • Provides insights on the roles of proteases and anti-proteases in the tumor microenvironment. • Covers various cancer-induced apoptotic and necrotic pathways. • Discusses the mechanisms by which proteases induce an increase in inflammation, immune response, and gene expression. • Covers the function of protease-activated receptors in cancer. • Reviews the different gene expression pathways and the ways they become erratic during protease-induced cancer.




Extracellular Matrix Degradation


Book Description

Regulated turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tissue homeostasis. In recent years, the enzymes that participate in, and control ECM turnover have been the focus of research that touches on development, tissue remodeling, inflammation and disease. This volume in the Biology of Extracellular Matrix series provides a review of the known classes of proteases that degrade ECM both outside and inside the cell. The specific EMC proteases that are discussed include cathepsins, bacterial collagenases, matrix metalloproteinases, meprins, serine proteases, and elastases. The volume also discusses the domains responsible for specific biochemical characteristics of the proteases and the physical interactions that occur when the protease interacts with substrate. The topics covered in this volume provide an important context for understanding the role that matrix-degrading proteases play in normal tissue remodeling and in diseases such as cancer and lung disease.




Pathophysiological Aspects of Proteases in Cancer


Book Description

Pathophysiological Aspects of Proteases in Cancer provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted field of proteases in the cellular environment and focuses on the recently elucidated functions of complex proteolytic systems in physiology and pathophysiology. The book both gives insights on the general aspects of the role of proteases in cancer, their role as diagnostics and prognostics biomarkers, their impact on chemoresistance, and the future cutting-edge technologies like cocktail therapies and Cyber Knife technology. Given the breadth and depth of information covered in the respective contributions, the book will be immensely useful for researchers in oncology and working to identify targets for drug development.Multidisciplinary in scope, the book bridges the gap between fundamental and translational research, with applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industry, making it a thought-provoking read for basic and applied scientists engaged in biomedical research. - Gives insight into the spectrum of proteases, protease inhibitors, and protease interactors involved at the cellular and molecular level in cancer development - Gives a comprehensive overview of the role of proteases in modulating cellular metabolism and chemoresistance to better understand how proteases play in early to the end point in cancer development and metastasis - Provides a multidisciplinary approach demonstrating the biochemical and signal transduction mechanisms associated with dysregulation of proteases, leading to the manifestation of various diseases - Highlights the roles and regulation of different types of proteases, as well as their synthetic and endogenous inhibitors - Bridges the gap between fundamental and translational research, with applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industry