Prophylaxis Against Cancer Metastasis
This document provides prophylactic methods for reducing cancer metastasis by targeting LCN2, MMP9, and CX-CR4.
1 . A method of inhibiting the formation of tumor metastases in a patient having a surgical or diagnostic procedure that carries a risk of dissemination of tumor cells, comprising prophylactic administration of antagonists to one or more targets selected from the group consisting of LCN2, MMP9, LCN2/MMP9 heterodimers, CXCR4, and CXCL12.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antagonists are antibodies.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the antibodies are anti-LCN2 antibodies.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antagonists are aptamers.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the administration of the antagonists is carried out in preparation for a surgical procedure to remove tumorous material.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the administration of the antagonists is carried out in preparation for a biopsy procedure.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the administration of the antagonists is carried out in preparation for a diagnostic mammogram.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the administration of the antagonists is carried out in conjunction with a lumpectomy.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the prophylactic administration includes a series of administrations sufficient to maintain an effective level of antagonist in the patient until such time that any tumor cells disseminated by the procedure have lost a potential to colonize a secondary site in the patient.
10 . A method of inhibiting the formation of tumor metastases in a patient having a surgical or diagnostic procedure that carries a risk of dissemination of tumor cells, comprising prophylactic administration of an antagonist to a LCN2/MMP9 heterodimer.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising including an antagonist to an interaction between CXCR4 and CXCL12 in the prophylactic administration.
12 . A method of inhibiting the formation of tumor metastases in a patient having a high number of circulating tumor cells comprising administration of an antagonist to one or more targets selected from the group consisting of LCN2, MMP9, LCN2/MMP9 heterodimers, CXCR4, and CXCL12.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the antagonists are antibodies.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the antibodies are anti-LCN2 antibodies.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the antagonists are aptamers.