Abstract 3302: CD146, a suppressor of breast cancer, is a novel target of CD44-signaling

More than 80% of cancer related deaths are caused by cancer cell metastasis, a crucial step in the onset of tumor development. Among the molecules involved in promoting cancer metastasis is the cell adhesion molecule CD44, whose role in promoting cancer cell motility and metastasis is well known. Despite this knowledge, the molecular mechanism through which CD44 promotes tumor development and cell metastasis is still unclear. CD146 (MUC 18) is another member of the cell adhesion molecule family, first identified in highly metastatic melanomas. The absence of CD146 in normal melanocytes and its high expression in melanomas suggests its tumor promoting actions. Despite the association between CD146 expression and development of melanoma, the expression patterns and the role of CD146 in normal and metastatic breast tissues are still controversial. In this paper we provided evidence clarifying some of these discrepancies by presenting CD146 as a negative downstream target for CD44. Finally, this study demonstrates a new role of CD44 in regulating neovascularization and in promoting cancer cell transmigration of blood vessels via regulation of its downstream target CD146. Citation Format: Mohamed E. Abdraboh, Hamad Al-Riyami, Yahya Al-Farsi, Allal Ouhtit, Andrew D. Hollenbach, Ishita Gupta, Somya Shanmuganathan, Madhwa Hg Raj. CD146, a suppressor of breast cancer, is a novel target of CD44-signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3302. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3302