S100A8/A9: a Janus-faced molecule in cancer therapy and tumorgenesis

Eur J Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 25;625(1-3):73-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.08.044. Epub 2009 Oct 14.

Abstract

Correlations exist between the abundance of S100 proteins and disease pathologies. Indeed, this is evidenced by the heterodimeric S100 protein complex S100A8/A9 which has been shown to be involved in inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. However, S100A8/A9 appears as a Janus-faced molecule in this context. On the one hand, it is a powerful apoptotic agent produced by immune cells, making it a very fascinating tool in the battle against cancer. It spears the risk to induce auto-immune response and may serve as a lead compound for cancer-selective therapeutics. In contrast, S100A8/A9 expression in cancer cells has also been associated with tumor development, cancer invasion or metastasis. Clearly, there is a dichotomy and future investigations into the role of S100A8/A9 in cancer biology need to consider both sides of the same coin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Calgranulin A / genetics
  • Calgranulin A / metabolism*
  • Calgranulin B / genetics
  • Calgranulin B / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / physiopathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Calgranulin A
  • Calgranulin B