Role of Syndecans in Ovarian Cancer: New Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Ovarian cancer has high prevalence and mortality in women. An early diagnosis of cancer is associated with a better prognosis of the oncologic patients. Ovarian cancer generally presents non-specific symptoms, and thus is frequently diagnosed only when the patients have an advance stage of the disease, resulting in higher mortality. Cancer cells are surrounded by other molecules and cells and the interaction of the cancer cells with these other components plays an essential role in the development of the disease. Syndecans are a family of four transmembrane proteins, which are dysregulated in a myriad of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Many previous studies suggest that these proteins are promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer. Furthermore, the study of these proteins in ovarian cancer could lead to the discovery of new drugs for the treatment of ovarian cancer. ABSTRACT: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the eighth cancer both in prevalence and mortality in women and represents the deadliest female reproductive cancer. Due to generally vague symptoms, OC is frequently diagnosed only at a late and advanced stage, resulting in high mortality. The tumor extracellular matrix and cellular matrix receptors play a key role in the pathogenesis of tumor progression. Syndecans are a family of four transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans (PG), including syndecan-1, -2, -3, and -4, which are dysregulated in a myriad of cancers, including OC. Many clinicopathological studies suggest that these proteins are promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for OC. Furthermore, functions of the syndecan family in the regulation of cellular processes make it an interesting pharmacological target for anticancer therapies.