L1-CAM in human carcinomas: from cell biology towards immunotherapy and better diagnosis
Peter Altevogt, German Cancer Research Center
| When |
08 May, 2008
from
11:00 am to 12:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where | Auditorium |
| Speaker(s) |
Peter Altevogt German Cancer Research Center Germany |
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Title: L1-CAM in human carcinomas: from cell biology towards immunotherapy and better diagnosis
Speaker: Peter Altevogt
Affiliation: German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
Host: Júlia Costa
Synopsis:
L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM) was initially found to be involved in the regulation of cell migration, axon outgrowth and guidance during the development of the nervous system. More recent studies have shown that L1-CAM also plays a role in the ontogeny of human tumors as its expression is linked to poor prognosis for the patient. Overexpression promotes tumor cell motility, invasion, tumor growth in nude mice and supports tumor metastasis. L1 signalling to the nucleus involves regulated intramembrane proteolysis mediated by ADAM10 and presenilin/-secretase.
In preclinical model systems, antibodies to L1-CAM can block tumor growth and hold promise for clinical trials in ovarian carcinoma therapy. Evidence is presented showing that L1 antibodies have a benifical effect because they attenuate L1-dependent signalling and gene regulation. Recent data suggest that in endometrial carcinoma L1 staining of tumor sections can be used for improved diagnosis. These data also suggest that L1 is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Biography:
Peter Altevogt studied Chemistry and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Göttingen (Germany). He received further training for two years as a fellow of the „Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft“ at the University of Uppsala, Sweden. In 1980 he joined the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. He spent further research time as a fellow of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel (1983) and at Stanford University, USA (1991). In 1993, Dr. Altevogt obtained a professorship at the University of Heidelberg. He is working as a group leader in the Tumorimunology Programme of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.
