Cadherin-11 in poor prognosis malignancies and rheumatoid arthritis: common target, common therapies.

Cadherin-11 (CDH11), associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transformation in development, poor prognosis malignancies and cancer stem cells, is also a major therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CDH11 expressing basal-like breast carcinomas and other CDH11 expressing malignancies exhibit poor prognosis. We show that CDH11 is increased early in breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in-situ.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 pathway activation in drug-resistant ovarian cancer.

Purpose: One of the major obstacles in the treatment of ovarian cancer is the development of multidrug resistance. Recent evidence shows that high-grade ovarian cancer often shows activation of the signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (Stat3) pathway with subsequent transcription of genes that support tumor growth and survival. Less studied is the role of the Stat3 pathway in acquired drug resistance.