Biological Function of Nectin 4 in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Ovarian Cancer Overview: 5th leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S.; Most patients diagnosed after metastasis, when survival rates are low; Early diagnosis yields 93% five year survival rate.

Biomarkers and Nectin 4: Biomarkers have different properties: early detection, clues to therapy effectiveness, and possible prognostic applications; Nectin 4 has been identified by the Skubitz lab as a possible biomarker. Nectins belong to a family of immunoglobulin-like proteins important in cell to cell adhesion; A study of 500 ovarian cancer tumors showed 48.6% stained for Nectin 4 in the tumor while 53% of ovarian cancer blood samples tested positive. Nectin 4 also expressed in lung cancer.

Our hypothesis is that knocking down the expression of Nectin 4 will inhibit ovarian cancer cell function and metastasis.