Protein tyrosine phosphatases: new markers and targets in oncology?
2008
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases: New Markers and Targets in Oncology
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Hardy S., Tremblay M.L.
Primary Institution: McGill University
Hypothesis
Can protein tyrosine phosphatases serve as new markers and targets in cancer treatment?
Conclusion
Protein tyrosine phosphatases have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on cancer-associated signaling processes and may serve as useful prognostic markers and novel targets in cancer therapies.
Supporting Evidence
- Protein tyrosine phosphatases can act as both tumor suppressors and oncogenes.
- PTEN mutations are linked to several types of cancer.
- Shp2 mutations are a major cause of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
- PTPN1 is overexpressed in 40% of human breast cancers.
- PTPN1 has been shown to function as a positive regulator of breast tumorigenesis.
Takeaway
Some proteins in our body help control cancer growth, and scientists are looking at them to find new ways to treat cancer.
Limitations
The development of small-molecule inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases is still in its early stages.
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