Importance

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Abstract

Therapeutics have been identified and developed with are targeted to inhibiting metastasis. These are based on the discovery of an invasion complex which confers the ability of cells, for example tumor cells, to translocate across extracellular matrix barriers, as well as the identification of novel peptides that interact with the invasion complex and regulate it's activity. Whole or partial complexes, or individual molecules of the invasion complex are used to screen for proteins or compounds that interact with the invasion complex. Methods of screening for interacting proteins such as osteopontin, sophin B (SEQ ID NO: 1), or compounds are well known in the art, some of which are described below. Once interacting proteins have been identified, they are screened for inhibition, enhancement, or reduction of complex activity. The presence of proteins of the invasion complex on or within cells is indicative of particular diseases or disorders, for example, those characterized by a tumor cell or activated macrophage. Elevated levels of proteins that interact with the invasion complex, such as osteopontin, are also indicative of cancer, and in particular, metastatic cancer. Diagnostic methods, described below, will assist in the identification of subjects having, or at risk of developing a disorder associated with aberrant expression of any of the identified proteins that form the invasion complex. Because this invasion complex confers the ability to translocate across matrix barriers, peptides that bind to the complex play a role in regulating metastasis and/or organ specific homing of cancer cells.

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First Claim