Eph receptors tyrosine kinase (RTK) were identified in 1987 from
hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and were the largest known subfamily of RTK.
Eph receptors can be divided into two categories, EphA and EphB, based on their structure and receptor-
ligand specificity. EphA can be divided into 10 species (EphA 1-10) and EphB into 6 species (EphB1-6). Similarly, the
ligands of
Eph receptors are
Ephrins.
Ephrins also can be divided into
Ephrin A and
Ephrin B, of which there are five species(Ephrin-A1-5) and three species(Ephrin-B1-3). Among the
Eph receptors, EphA1 has been the least studied so far. As far as we know,
Eph receptors are involved in multiple pathologies, including
cancer progression,
tumor angiogenesis, intestinal environmental stability, the lymph node system, neurological disease, and inhibition of nerve regeneration after injury. There is a link between EphA1,
integrin and ECM- related signal pathways.
Ephrin-A1 is a
ligand of the
EphA1 receptor. EphA1 and
ephrin-A1 functions are related to
tumor angiogenesis. EphA1 and
ephrin-A1 also play roles in gynecological diseases.
Ephrin-A1 and EphA1 receptors regulate the follicular formation, ovulation, embryo transport, implantation and placental formation, which are of great significance for the occurrence of gynecological
tumor diseases. EphA1 has been identified as an
oncoprotein in various
tumors and has been associated with the prognosis of various
tumors in recent years. EphA1 is considered a driver gene in
tumor genomics. There are significant differences in EphA1 expression levels in different types of normal tissues and
tumors and even in different stages of
tumor development, suggesting its functional diversity. Changes at the gene level in cell biology are often used as
biological indicators of
cancer, known as
biomarkers, which can be used to provide diagnostic or prognostic information and are valuable for improving the detection, monitoring and treatment of
tumors. However, few prognostic markers can selectively predict clinically significant
tumors with poor prognosis. These
malignancies are more likely to progress and lead to death, requiring more aggressive treatment. Currently available treatments for advanced
cancer are often ineffective, and treatment options are mainly palliative. Therefore, early identification and treatment of those at risk of developing malignant
tumors are crucial. Although pieces of evidence have shown the role of EphA1 in
tumorigenesis and development, its specific mechanism is still unknown to a great extent.
OBJECTIVE: This review reveals the changes and roles of EphA1 in many
tumors and
cancers. The change of EphA1 expression can be used as a
biological marker of
cancer, which is valuable for improving
tumor detection, monitoring and treatment and can be applied to imaging. Studies have shown that structural modification of EphA1 could make it an effective new
drug. EphA1 is unique in that it can be considered a prognostic marker in many
tumors and is of important meaning for clinical diagnosis and operative treatment. At the same time, the study of the specific mechanism of EphA1 in
tumors can provide a new way for targeted
therapy.
METHODS: EphA1 has been identified as a
cancer protein in various
tumors, such as
hepatocellular carcinoma,
nasopharyngeal carcinoma,
ovarian cancer,
gastric cancer,
colorectal cancer,
clear cell renal cell carcinoma,
esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,
breast cancer,
prostate cancer and
uveal melanoma. EphA1 is abnormally expressed in these
tumor cells, which mainly plays a role in
cancer progression,
tumor angiogenesis, intestinal environmental stability, the lymph node system, nervous system diseases and gynecological diseases. In a narrow sense, EphA1 is especially effective in
breast cancer in terms of gynecological diseases. However, the specific mechanism of EphA1 leading to the change of
cancer cells in some
tumors is not clear, which needs further research and exploration.
CONCLUSION: