Endocan: A new marker for cancer and a target for cancer therapy

Abstract

Abstract. Endocan, previously known as endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), was cloned from the human umbilical vein endothelial cell cDNA library. Endocan is a novel ESM, and a 50 kDa soluble proteoglycan. Endocan is secreted into the blood as the soluble proteoglycan, which is the form in the presence of chondroitin sulfate. In normal tissues, chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan is expressed by endothelial cells (such as lung and kidney) and is overexpressed in several carcinoma endothelial cells. There are studies that identified high endocan expression in lung cancer, uterine cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, brain glioblastoma, breast cancer and other tumors. Tumor prognosis, metastasis and angiogenesis were shown to be associated with endocan expression. The majority of investigators believe that endocan regulates the tumor by tumor-associated inflammation, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, the tumor cells themselves and other aspects. Endocan may be a new target for cancer therapy.

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters, and Serum Endocan Levels in Patients with Lichen Planus

“…Studies have shown that high endocan expression can be seen in lung cancer, uterine cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, brain glioblastoma, and breast cancer. A relationship between tumour prognosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and endocan expression has been demonstrated [8]. Furthermore, serum endocan levels were reported to be higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome compared to the control group.…”

Predictors of survival in non‐small cell lung cancer patients with pleural effusion undergoing thoracoscopy

“…The primary tumor directly invaded blood vessels, obstructed venules, induced angiogenesis, increased capillary permeability and eventually led to bloody pleural effusions. Overexpression of endothelial‐cell‐specific molecule‐1 (ESM‐1) in carcinoma endothelial cells played an important role in inducing angiogenesis . High levels of ESM‐1 expression correlate with certain angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) .…”

Endurance training significantly increases serum endocan but not osteoprotegerin levels: a prospective observational study

“…The preventive effect of physical activity might be caused by several mechanisms affecting inflammation [9], angiogenesis [10] and calcification [11]. Recently published studies suggest an involvement of EN in inflammation, cancer progression an angiogenesis: EN is overexpressed in septic patients, patients with gliomas [12], non-small cell lung cancer tumours [13] and other types of cancer [14] and furthermore was suggested a predictive marker of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients suffering chronic kidney disease [15]. Several study suggested increased EN levels as common predictor of the endothelium-dependent inflammatory processes.…”

“…EN may be involved in the regulation of the LFA-1/ICAM-1 pathway, resulting in decreased leukocyte activation by LFA-1, which may affect the lymphocyte homing to sites of inflammation and aggregation. Consequently, leukocyte adhesion and activation may be affected [14]. EN was also shown to correlate with the intima media thickness (an early sign of atherosclerosis) and BMI in patients suffering systemic lupus erythematosus [16].…”