Abstract
Eph tyrosine kinase receptors are frequently overexpressed and functional in many cancers, and they are attractive candidates for targeted therapy. Here, we analyzed the expression of Eph receptor A3, one of the most up-regulated factors in glioblastoma cells cultured under tumorsphere-forming conditions, together with EphA2 and EphB2 receptors. EphA3 was overexpressed in up to 60% of glioblastoma tumors tested, but not in normal brain. EphA3 was localized in scattered areas of the tumor, the invasive ring, and niches near tumor vessels. EphA3 co-localized with macrophage/leukocyte markers, suggesting EphA3 expression on tumor-infiltrating cells of bone marrow origin. We took advantage of the fact that ephrinA5 (eA5) is a ligand that binds EphA3, EphA2 and EphB2 receptors, and used it to construct a novel targeted anti-glioblastoma cytotoxin. The eA5-based cytotoxin potently and specifically killed glioblastoma cells with an IC50 of at least 10-11 M. This and similar cytotoxins will simultaneously target different compartments of glioblastoma tumors while mitigating tumor heterogeneity.
DOI
10.18632/oncotarget.10978
Publication Date
2016-08-01
Publication Title
Oncotarget
Publisher
Impact Journals LLC
ISSN
1949-2553
Embargo Period
2024-11-19
Recommended Citation
Ferluga, S., Tomé, C., Herpai, D., D’Agostino, R., & Debinski, W. (2016) 'Simultaneous targeting of Eph receptors in glioblastoma', Oncotarget, . Impact Journals LLC: Available at: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.10978
