弹性纤维存在于需要弹性的组织的细胞外基质(ECM)中,并且依赖于弹性。弹性蛋白及其降解产物在肿瘤学过程中具有多种作用。在许多恶性肿瘤中，重塑的ECM表达高水平的弹性蛋白蛋白,其可能对肿瘤生长具有正面或负面影响。与其他ECM组分交联的弹性蛋白和控制该过程的酶都对肿瘤发生有影响。弹性材料,特别是中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶，是侵袭和转移的关键驱动因素，因此是抑制的重要目标。弹性蛋白降解导致进一步调节肿瘤生长和扩散的生物活性片段和弹性蛋白衍生肽的产生。有趣的是,弹性蛋白样肽(ELP)和弹性蛋白衍生肽(EDP)也可用作纳米载体以对抗肿瘤生长。EDP以多种方式驱动肿瘤发展，特异性靶向EDP及其结合蛋白是正在进行和未来的抗癌治疗的主要目标。对ELP的直接抗癌活性和药物递送能力的研究是另一个可能在不久的将来产生新型治疗剂的领域。
Elastic fibers are found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues requiring resilience and depend on elasticity. Elastin and its degradation products have multiple roles in the oncologic process. In many malignancies, the remodeled ECM expresses high levels of the elastin protein which may have either positive or negative effects on tumor growth. Elastin cross-linking with other ECM components and the enzymes governing this process all have effects on tumorigenesis. Elastases, and specifically neutrophil elastase, are key drivers of invasion and metastasis and therefore are important targets for inhibition. Elastin degradation leads to the generation of bioactive fragments and elastin-derived peptides that further modulate tumor growth and spread. Interestingly, elastin-like peptides (ELP) and elastin-derived peptides (EDP) may also be utilized as nano-carriers to combat tumor growth. EDPs drive tumor development in a variety of ways, and specifically targeting EDPs and their binding proteins are major objectives for ongoing and future anti-cancer therapies. Research on both the direct anti-cancer activity and the drug delivery capabilities of ELPs is another area likely to result in novel therapeutic agents in the near future.
PDF(Sci-hub)