Abstract A85: Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 enhances the aggressiveness of pancreatic tumor by increased cancer cell motility and adhesiveness

Abstract Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) is a secreted protein involved in vascular remodeling, bone formation and developmental morphogenesis. CTHRC1 is expressed in human cancers such as breast cancer and melanoma. In this study, we show that CTHRC1 is highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer tissues and plays a role in the progression and metastasis of the disease. CTHRC1 promoted primary tumor growth and metastatic spread of cancer cells to distant organs in orthotopic xenograft tumor mouse models. Overexpression of CTHRC1 in cancer cells resulted in increased motility and adhesiveness. CTHRC1 activated several key signaling molecules, including Src, focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Rac1. Treatment of xenograft mice of pancreatic cancer cells with a CTHRC1-specific monoclonal antibody led to significantly smaller tumor sizes compared with those of untreated control mice. Collectively, our results suggest that CTHRC1 has a role in pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis by regulating migration and adhesion activities of cancer cells. Citation Format: Leem Sun-Hee, Kang Tae-Hong, Chung Jin Woong, Hwang Yeonsil, Kim Seokho, Koh Sang Seok. Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 enhances the aggressiveness of pancreatic tumor by increased cancer cell motility and adhesiveness. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Innovations in Research and Treatment; May 18-21, 2014; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A85.