Targeting CTGF in Cancer: An Emerging Therapeutic Opportunity

Yi-Wen Shen; Yu-Dong Zhou; Hong-Zhuan Chen; Xin Luan; Wei-Dong Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.trecan.2020.12.001

Targeting CTGF in Cancer: An Emerging Therapeutic Opportunity

Trends Cancer. 2021 Jun;7(6):511-524. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.12.001. Epub 2020 Dec 25.

Authors

Yi-Wen Shen¹, Yu-Dong Zhou², Hong-Zhuan Chen¹, Xin Luan³, Wei-Dong Zhang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
² Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
³ Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. Electronic address: luanxin@shutcm.edu.cn.
⁴ Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. Electronic address: wdzhangy@hotmail.com.

PMID: 33358571
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.12.001

Abstract

Despite the dramatic advances in cancer research over the decades, effective therapeutic strategies are still urgently needed. Increasing evidence indicates that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a multifunctional signaling modulator, promotes cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis by regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CTGF is also involved in the tumor microenvironment in most of the nodes, including angiogenesis, inflammation, and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the expression of CTGF and its regulation, oncogenic role, clinical relevance, targeting strategies, and therapeutic agents. Herein, we propose that CTGF is a promising cancer therapeutic target that could potentially improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.

Keywords: CTGF/CCN2; cancer; cellular function; connective tissue growth factor; targeted therapy; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Movement / drug effects
Cell Movement / genetics
Cell Proliferation / drug effects
Cell Proliferation / genetics
Clinical Trials as Topic
Connective Tissue Growth Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
Connective Tissue Growth Factor / genetics
Connective Tissue Growth Factor / metabolism
Curcumin / pharmacology
Curcumin / therapeutic use
Disease Progression
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Gene Knockdown Techniques
Humans
Mice
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / genetics
Neoplasms / mortality
Neoplasms / pathology
Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
Oncogene Proteins / genetics
Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
Prognosis
Signal Transduction / drug effects
Survival Rate
Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
Tumor Microenvironment / genetics
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
CCN2 protein, human
Oncogene Proteins
Connective Tissue Growth Factor
Curcumin
pamrevlumab