The NG2/HMP Proteoglycan as a Cancer Therapeutic Target

Neuroepithelial cells of the central nervous system constitute neuroglia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia), ependyma, and neurons, which make up the stromal cells of the brain. The stromal tissue organization of the brain is tightly regulated, but occasionally the signals that define the normal contexts become disrupted and result in cancer. Malignant progression is then maintained by cross-talks between the tumor and its stroma, where the activated stroma nurtures the proliferative and invasive neoplastic cells, by providing neovasculature, extracelluar matrix components, and stimulatory growth factors. The NG2/HMP plays a major role in tumor-stroma activation through alterations in cellular adhesion, migration, proliferation, and vascular morphogenesis. Therapeutic strategies specifically targeting NG2/HMP may be useful in normalizing the tumor stroma and may reduce the toxic side effects when used in combination with conventional treatments.