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Abstract
In this issue of the Journal, Schmid et al identify Spondin 2 (SPON2) as a prominent
downstream signaling target of metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) in
colorectal cancer (CRC). It is shown that SPON2 mediates MACC1-induced CRC cell proliferation,
invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, while its high expression correlates
with adverse disease free survival in clinical samples. Therefore, not only does this
study shed further light into the complexity of colorectal carcinogenesis, but it
also puts forward a potential novel prognostic biomarker to predict high-risk tumors
before they metastasize. The MACC1/SPON2 axis may also have utility beyond an indicator
of tumor aggressiveness and lends itself as a promising therapeutic target for colorectal
and potentially other solid tumors.