Endosialin: from vascular target to biomarker for human sarcomas

RG Bagley - Biomarkers in medicine, 2009 - Future Medicine
RG Bagley
Biomarkers in medicine, 2009Future Medicine
Biomarkers have been the focus of investigations to diagnose disease, track response to
therapy and predict prognosis. Meanwhile, the identification of new targets for therapeutic
intervention is an ongoing quest in the field of oncology. The recognition of endosialin as an
antigen that is selectively overexpressed in human tumor tissues offers new strategies for
treating cancer. Not only do the tumor vasculature and stromal compartments upregulate
endosialin but, importantly, the malignant cells of sarcomas strongly express endosialin as …
Biomarkers have been the focus of investigations to diagnose disease, track response to therapy and predict prognosis. Meanwhile, the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention is an ongoing quest in the field of oncology. The recognition of endosialin as an antigen that is selectively overexpressed in human tumor tissues offers new strategies for treating cancer. Not only do the tumor vasculature and stromal compartments upregulate endosialin but, importantly, the malignant cells of sarcomas strongly express endosialin as well. A diagnostic assay that measures the intensity of endosialin expression in malignant tissues would assist in selecting patients that could benefit from an antiendosialin therapy. Thus, endosialin holds potential value both as a therapeutic target and as a biomarker for certain human cancers.
Future Medicine