Targeting maspin in endothelial cells to induce cell apoptosis.

The diseases of cancer remain as some of the leading causes of death in the industrialised world, although there are a multitude of technologies being used in the field of medical oncology to combat these diseases and scientific research continues to make discoveries to improve patient outcomes. Some of this research has focused on the maspin gene and protein. Maspin is predicted to be a unique serpin with tumour suppressor activity. Recent studies have explored the use of maspin as a therapeutic agent against cancer. In one study, maspin was found to inhibit cancer growth and metastasis in a breast cancer mouse model through a maspin DNA-liposome therapy. A separate study showed the ability of maspin to induce apoptosis in tumour-specific endothelial cells. Taken together, these studies demonstrate the potential use of maspin as a viable anticancer therapeutic agent.