Targeting CTGF in Cancer: An Emerging Therapeutic Opportunity

Despite the dramatic advances in cancer research over the decades, effective therapeutic strategies are still urgently needed. Increasing evidence indicates that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a multifunctional signaling modulator, promotes cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis by regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CTGF is also involved in the tumor microenvironment in most of the nodes, including angiogenesis, inflammation, and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the expression of CTGF and its regulation, oncogenic role, clinical relevance, targeting strategies, and therapeutic agents. Herein, we propose that CTGF is a promising cancer therapeutic target that could potentially improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.

Automated summary

This article provides a comprehensive discussion on the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, as well as its importance in the tumor microenvironment. The authors suggest that CTGF is a promising cancer therapeutic target that could potentially improve clinical outcomes.