IL-11Rα: A novel target for the treatment of osteosarcoma

Abstract

Recent advances have shown that cell surface receptors are expressed differentially in normal and pathological conditions. Novel organ specifi c and disease specifi c proteins expressed on tumor vasculature have been identifi ed by in vivo phage display technology and the diversity of the tumor-associated vasculature has provided the basis for the development of targeted therapeutics. Investigators recently screened a phage display library in a human cancer patient. An IL-11 mimic phage displaying the cyclic peptide CGRRAGGSC (single letter amino acid code) specifi cally bound to immobilized IL-11Rα. It has been demonstrated that the expression of the IL-11Rα is increased in several other types of tumors including osteosarcoma. The ability to selectively target the IL-11Rα may provide an alternative treatment of for a disease where new treatment options are truly needed.