Metastasis is the main cause for cancer morbidity as spread of the cancer cells from their primary site to distant organs is currently difficult, or impossible, to treat. We have found earlier that several proteins regulating actin-rich protrusions, called filopodia, are overexpressed in spreading cancers, like breast and pancreatic cancers. One of the proteins driving these filopodia is Myo10, an actin and integrin binding motor protein. The aim of this project was to generate solid evidence that inhibiting Myo10 is an effective strategy to combat cancer spread. During this project we have used drug screening and different cancer metastasis models and validated that indeed Myo10 inhibition is a viable option for cancer therapy. As an outcome we have secured a partnership to start developing new Myo10 inhibitors against cancer.
