Abstract A18: Ccn1 expression by fibroblasts is required for melanoma metastasis

Metastatic melanoma is highly fatal. Within the tumor microenvironment, the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in melanoma metastasis and progression is relatively understudied. Matricellular proteins of the CCN family are emerging targets for cancer therapy. Anti-CCN2 (CTGF) strategies are under clinical development; however, the role of CCN1 (cyr61) in cancers is unclear. Herein, we use bioinformatic analyses to report that the CCN1 is overexpressed, in a fashion independent of BRAF mutational status, in melanoma. In human melanoma patients, CCN1 expression negatively correlates with overall survival, disease-free, and metastasis-free survival (p Citation Format: James Hutchenreuther, Katherine Quensel, Krista Vincent, Lynne-Marie Posrovit, Andrew Leask. Ccn1 expression by fibroblasts is required for melanoma metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Melanoma: From Biology to Target; 2019 Jan 15-18; Houston, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(19 Suppl):Abstract nr A18.