CDH11 as new biomarker of metastases and master regulator of ovarian cancer cell plasticity during peritoneal dissemination

Co-PI: Eleonora Citeroni

Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) emerges as a key regulator of metastatic outgrowth. This plasticity requires adhesion mechanisms which involve cell-cell- and cell-matrix-associated molecules for tumor cell growth and migration. 

High grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOCs), the most frequent OC, only diffuses within the peritoneal cavity and is characterized by two different growing conditions, adherent vs suspension; the cell phenotypes of the two populations change in term of adhesion characteristics and intracellular signalling activation. 

Molecular and biological evidences indicate that the mesenchymal cadherin 11, CDH11, is a determinant of the EMP necessary for metastasis formation. Aim of this project is to assess in HGSOC CDH11 biological role during OC progression and to evaluate the potential of CDH11 of being a biomarker of aggressiveness.