Epithelial membrane protein 2: Molecular interactions and clinical implications

Lawrance K Chung; Nikhilesh S Bhatt; Carlito Lagman; Panayiotis E Pelargos; Yu Qin; Lynn K Gordon; Madhuri Wadehra; Isaac Yang

doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2017.06.044

Epithelial membrane protein 2: Molecular interactions and clinical implications

J Clin Neurosci. 2017 Oct:44:84-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.06.044. Epub 2017 Jul 15.

Authors

Lawrance K Chung¹, Nikhilesh S Bhatt¹, Carlito Lagman¹, Panayiotis E Pelargos¹, Yu Qin², Lynn K Gordon³, Madhuri Wadehra⁴, Isaac Yang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Suite 420, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
² Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 924 Westwood Blvd, Seventh Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
³ Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
⁴ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 924 Westwood Blvd, Seventh Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite B265, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
⁵ Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Suite 420, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite B265, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite B265, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: iyang@mednet.ucla.edu.

PMID: 28720310
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.06.044

Abstract

Epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) is a cell surface protein that has recently emerged as an object of neuro-oncological interest due to its potential to be utilized as a biomarker and target for antibody therapies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that EMP2 is associated with disease prognosis in a number of human cancers, including glioblastoma. The four large extracellular domains of EMP2 and its association with the extracellular matrix makes it an attractive target for future cancer therapies. Translational research suggests that EMP2 may be targeted with antibodies to improve tumor control and survival in a variety of murine models and cancer types. However, in order to translate these preclinical findings into the clinic, future research will need to focus on elucidating the role EMP2 in the normal human body by better understanding its molecular and chemical interactions. The focus of this review is to provide a comprehensive insight into current research endeavors, discuss the potential for clinically translatable applications, and predict the future directions of such research.

Keywords: Antibody therapy; EMP2; Epithelial membrane protein 2; Glioblastoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / immunology
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
Brain Neoplasms / pathology
Brain Neoplasms / therapy
Glioblastoma / metabolism*
Glioblastoma / pathology
Glioblastoma / therapy
Humans
Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
EMP2 protein, human
Membrane Glycoproteins