Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and the hallmarks of cancer

Panagiota S. Filippou, George S. Karagiannis, Natasha Musrap, Eleftherios P. Diamandis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: The kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) represent the largest family of serine proteases within the human genome and are expressed in various tissues. Although they regulate several important physiological functions, KLKs have also been implicated in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cancer. Growing evidence describing the deregulation of KLK expression and secretion, as well as activation in various malignancies, has uncovered their potential as mediators of cancer progression, biomarkers of disease and as candidate therapeutic targets. The diversity of signalling pathways and proteolytic cascades involving KLKs and their downstream targets appears to affect cancer biology through multiple mechanisms, including those related to the hallmarks of cancer. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the importance of KLK-driven molecular pathways in relation to cancer cell traits associated with the hallmarks of cancer and to highlight their potential in personalized therapeutics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)277-291
Number of pages15
JournalCritical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Volume53
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 3 2016

Keywords

  • Kallikreins
  • cancer hallmarks
  • invasion
  • metastasis
  • therapeutics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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