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Reviews

The role of neuropilins in cancer

Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Requests for reprints: Lee M. Ellis, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 444, P.O. Box 301402, Houston, TX 77230-1402. Phone: 713-792-6926; Fax: 713-792-4689. E-mail: lellis{at}mdanderson.org

Neuropilins are multifunctional non–tyrosine kinase receptors that bind to class 3 semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor. NRP-1 and NRP-2 were first identified for their key role in mediating axonal guidance in the developing nervous system through their interactions with class 3 semaphorins. Growing evidence supports a critical role for these receptors in tumor progression. Neuropilin expression is up-regulated in multiple tumor types, and correlates with tumor progression and prognosis in specific tumors. Neuropilins may indirectly mediate effects on tumor progression by affecting angiogenesis or directly through effects on tumor cells. This article reviews emerging evidence for the role of neuropilins in tumor biology. The therapeutic implications of these data are far-reaching and suggest that neuropilin-targeted interventions may be useful as a component of antineoplastic therapy. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(5):1099–107]

Note: Dr. Ellis is a consultant to ImClone Systems Incorporated, Genentech, Inc., Novartis AG, and Amgen, Inc. He has received research support from ImClone Systems Incorporated, and he is on the speaker's bureau at Genentech, Inc.

Received 12/27/05; revised 3/ 2/06; accepted 3/17/06.