HAVcR-1 involvement in cancer progression.

Formerly known for its importance in the immune system and kidney regeneration, it is becoming more apparent that HAVcR-1 an important protein in cancer biology. HAVcR-1 is overexpressed in numerous cancers and associates with critical molecules of tight junctions. Tight junctions are critical in homeostasis of cellular compartments via the maintenance of epithelia and endothelia however it has also be suggested that via the prevention of dissemination, intravasation and extravasation, tight junctions play a critical role in the prevention of cancer metastasis. HAVcR-1 shedding and the production of the HAVcR-1 ectodomain has been linked to increased IL-6 thus implicated it in the process of angiogenesis via the activation of the STAT3 pathway leading to increased HIF-1α. The HAVcR-1 ectodomain has also been shown to be a potential urinary biomarker in certain cancers. HAVcR-1 is potentially important molecule both for the detection of cancer and the treatment of cancer by being a novel target for anti-cancer therapeutics.