Protein That Suppresses Invadopodia Formation Prevents Spread of Breast Cancer Cells

The inhibitory role of CIP4 was explained by the finding that CIP4 limited surface expression of transmembrane type I matrix metalloprotease (MT1-MMP), by promoting MT1-MMP internalization. By removing this enzyme complex from the cell surface CIP4 suppressed invadopodia formation and reduced the ability of the cancer cells to metastasize.

"Cancer researchers want to design new therapeutic strategies in which the metastasis or spreading stage of cancer can be blocked,” explained senior author Dr. Andrew Craig, professor of biochemistry and cancer research at Queen's University. "Patients stand a much better chance of survival if the primary tumor is the only tumor that needs to be treated.”

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