Targeting the tumor microenvironment in cancer: Why hyaluronidase deserves a second look

Clifford J. Whatcott, Haiyong Han, Richard G. Posner, Galen Hostetter, Daniel D. Von Hoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

179 Scopus citations

Abstract

Increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition is a characteristic observed in many solid tumors. Increased levels of one ECM component-namely, hyaluronan (HA)-leads to reduced elasticity of tumor tissue and increased interstitial fluid pressure. Multiple initial reports showed that the addition of hyaluronidase (HYAL) to chemotherapeutic regimens could greatly improve efficacy. Unfortunately, the bovine HYAL used in those studies was limited therapeutically by immunologic responses to treatment. Newly developed recombinant human HYAL has recently been introduced into clinical trials. In this article, we describe the role of HA in cancer, methods of targeting HA, and clinical studies performed to date, and we propose that targeting HA could now be an effective treatment option for patients with many different types of solid tumors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)291-296
Number of pages6
JournalCancer Discovery
Volume1
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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