Collagen Type XI Alpha 1 (COL11A1): A Novel Biomarker and a Key Player in Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1) is a part of type XI collagen, which is important for bone development. Interestingly, COL11A1 levels are frequently upregulated in various cancers and high levels of COL11A1 are correlated with poor clinical outcome in many solid cancers. Increasing evidence shows that COL11A1 promotes tumor cell aggressiveness through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we discuss how COL11A1 serves as both a biomarker and a key player in cancer. This knowledge will facilitate the development of novel therapies to treat COL11A1-high cancers. ABSTRACT: Collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1), one of the three alpha chains of type XI collagen, is crucial for bone development and collagen fiber assembly. Interestingly, COL11A1 expression is increased in several cancers and high levels of COL11A1 are often associated with poor survival, chemoresistance, and recurrence. This review will discuss the recent discoveries in the biological functions of COL11A1 in cancer. COL11A1 is predominantly expressed and secreted by a subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts, modulating tumor-stroma interaction and mechanical properties of extracellular matrix. COL11A1 also promotes cancer cell migration, metastasis, and therapy resistance by activating pro-survival pathways and modulating tumor metabolic phenotype. Several inhibitors that are currently being tested in clinical trials for cancer or used in clinic for other diseases, can be potentially used to target COL11A1 signaling. Collectively, this review underscores the role of COL11A1 as a promising biomarker and a key player in cancer.