“Glue molecule” is new focus of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers

A molecule that helps cells stick together is significantly over-produced in two very different diseases — rheumatoid arthritis and a variety of cancers, including breast and brain tumours, concludes a new study published in Oncotarget. The scientists who made the discovery also found candidate drugs to inhibit the molecule, cadherin-11, one of which is already in a clinical trial.

“Our findings suggest that cadherin-11 is important for cancer progression as well as rheumatoid arthritis — for reasons we do not fully understand,” says Prof Stephen Byers who was involved in the work. “Nevertheless, we are rapidly translating this discovery for use in the clinic.”

Cadherin-11 was found to be over-expressed in 15% of breast cancers, and in many brain tumours. He believes the molecule also contributes to pancreatic cancer.

Dr Michael Brenner from Harvard University has designed an antibody that can shut down cadherin-11 in rheumatoid arthritis – and it’s been shown to work in animals.

By screening drugs on the market the team found that the well-known arthritis drug Celebrex shuts down cadherin-11. While it is unlikely that Celebrex could be used as a single agent against cancer because it would be too toxic at the level needed to impair cadherin-11, a Celebrex-related molecule works the same way, and may potentially be less toxic.