Synergistic inactivation of AXL : a (cross)road to cure ovarian cancer?

Abstract

Abstract Inhibition of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, a key molecular driver of ovarian cancer, has recently been highlighted as promising therapeutic strategy. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Antony et al 1 have identified a novel mechanism of inhibition of AXL, wherein the GPI‐anchored tumour suppressor OPCML sequesters AXL into specialised plasma membrane domains where the phosphatase PTPRG is located, therefore facilitating AXL dephosphorylation. This attenuation of AXL signalling has translational implications for the design of synergistic therapies, to target the kinase for this aggressive malignancy.