KANK4: An Emerging Drug Target/Biomarker for Cancer (G163782)

Target Name: KANK4

NCBI ID: G163782

KANK4

KANK4: An Emerging Drug Target/Biomarker for Cancer

Introduction:
Advancements in biomedical research have paved the way for the identification of potential drug targets and biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer. With the rapidly increasing prevalence of cancer worldwide, the need for effective therapeutic strategies and precise diagnostic tools has become paramount. This article focuses on KANK4, a protein that is gaining attention as both a potential drug target and biomarker in the field of oncology.

KANK4: A Brief Overview
KANK4 (Kidney Ankyrin Repeat-Containing Protein 4) belongs to the Kank (Kidney Ankyrin Repeat-Containing) protein family. It is encoded by the KANK4 gene located on the long arm of chromosome 19. KANK4 plays a crucial role in several cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and cytoskeletal organization. Aberrant expression and dysregulation of KANK4 have been associated with various types of cancer, making it an attractive target for therapeutic interventions.

The Role of KANK4 in Cancer Progression
Research studies have demonstrated that KANK4 is involved in the development and progression of various types of cancer, such as lung, breast, prostate, ovarian, and colorectal cancer. The dysregulation of KANK4 expression has been found to correlate with increased tumor aggressiveness, enhanced metastatic potential, and reduced patient survival rates. Overexpression of KANK4 in cancer cells has been shown to promote invasion and migration by modulating the activity of proteins involved in cellular adhesion, such as integrins and focal adhesion kinase (FAK).

Targeting KANK4 as a Therapeutic Approach
The identification of KANK4 as a potential drug target opens up new avenues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. Several research studies have explored the potential use of small molecule inhibitors specifically targeting KANK4 to inhibit its activity and halt cancer progression. These inhibitors work by disrupting the interaction between KANK4 and its binding partners, such as 伪-actinin and Rho GTPases, which are crucial for its role in promoting cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Advantages of KANK4 as a Biomarker
Aside from its potential as a drug target, KANK4 also shows promise as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Current diagnostic methods, such as imaging techniques and tissue biopsies, often have limitations in terms of accuracy and invasiveness. KANK4, being readily detectable in blood samples and various bodily fluids, can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for cancer detection and surveillance. Its expression levels could be measured using techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue samples, and changes in these levels could provide valuable information about response to treatment and disease progression.

Future Directions and Challenges
While the potential of targeting KANK4 in cancer therapy and exploiting it as a biomarker is promising, several challenges lie ahead. Further research is needed to unravel the complex mechanisms by which KANK4 promotes cancer progression and invasion. Moreover, the development of effective and specific inhibitors that can selectively target KANK4 without causing harmful off-target effects remains a significant hurdle. Additionally, large-scale clinical trials are required to validate the clinical utility of KANK4 as a biomarker for various types of cancer.

Conclusion
KANK4 has emerged as a potential drug target and biomarker in the field of oncology. Its dysregulation and aberrant expression play a crucial role in cancer progression, making it an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the non-invasive detection of KANK4 in bodily fluids holds significant promise as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. However, further research and clinical trials are essential to fully understand the potential of KANK4 in cancer therapy and its utility as a biomarker.

Protein Name: KN Motif And Ankyrin Repeat Domains 4

Functions: May be involved in the control of cytoskeleton formation by regulating actin polymerization

The "KANK4 Target / Biomarker Review Report" is a customizable review of hundreds up to thousends of related scientific research literature by AI technology, covering specific information about KANK4 comprehensively, including but not limited to:
•   general information;
•   protein structure and compound binding;
•   protein biological mechanisms;
•   its importance;
•   the target screening and validation;
•   expression level;
•   disease relevance;
•   drug resistance;
•   related combination drugs;
•   pharmacochemistry experiments;
•   related patent analysis;
•   advantages and risks of development, etc.
The report is helpful for project application, drug molecule design, research progress updates, publication of research papers, patent applications, etc. If you are interested to get a full version of this report, please feel free to contact us at BD@silexon.ai

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