RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Aminopeptidase N/CD13 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1701610 DO 10.1183/13993003.01610-2017 A1 Takahiko Otsuki A1 Taku Nakashima A1 Hironobu Hamada A1 Yusuke Takayama A1 Shin Akita A1 Takeshi Masuda A1 Yasushi Horimasu A1 Shintaro Miyamoto A1 Hiroshi Iwamoto A1 Kazunori Fujitaka A1 Yoshihiro Miyata A1 Masayuki Miyake A1 Nobuoki Kohno A1 Morihito Okada A1 Noboru Hattori YR 2018 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2018/03/01/13993003.01610-2017.abstract AB Angiogenesis is a crucial factor in the progression of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), and antiangiogenic strategies might be effective against MPM. Aminopeptidase N/CD13 (APN/CD13) promotes tumour angiogenesis and is associated with poor prognosis; however, its clinical significance in MPM remains unclear.In 37 consecutive patients with surgically resected MPM, we evaluated the association between immunohistochemical APN/CD13 expression in resected tumours and survival. Additionally, the antitumour and antiangiogenic effects of MT95-4, a fully humanized anti-APN/CD13 monoclonal antibody, were evaluated in mice orthotopically implanted with EHMES-10 (abundantly expressing APN/CD13) and MSTO-211H (scarcely expressing APN/CD13) MPM cells.High tumour APN/CD13 expression was associated with poor prognosis in MPM patients (P=0.04), and MT95-4 treatment reduced tumour growth and angiogenesis in mice harbouring EHMES-10, but not MSTO-211H, cells. Furthermore, in mice harbouring EHMES-10 cells, MT95-4 combined with cisplatin more effectively suppressed tumour progression than cisplatin alone.Taken together these results suggested that APN/CD13 is implicated in the aggressiveness of MPM. Here, MT95-4 treatment reduced tumour progression likely by inhibiting angiogenesis, suggesting APN/CD13 as a potential molecular target for MPM treatment. Additionally, combination treatment with MT95-4 and cisplatin could represent a promising approach to treating MPM exhibiting high APN/CD13 expression.Aminopeptidase N is a potential therapeutic target in mesothelioma exhibiting high Aminopeptidase N expression.FootnotesThis manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.Conflict of interest: Dr. Otsuki has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Nakasihma has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Hamada has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Takayama has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Akita has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Masuda has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Horimasu has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Miyamoto has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Iwamoto has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Fujitaka has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Miyata has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Miyake has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Kohno has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Okada has nothing to disclose.Conflict of interest: Dr. Hattori has nothing to disclose.