C-terminal tensin-like (CTEN): a promising biomarker and target for cancer.

C-terminal tensin-like (cten, also known as tensin4, TNS4) is a member of the tensin family. Cten protein, like the other three tensin family members, localizes to focal adhesion sites but only shares sequence homology with other tensins at its C-terminal region, which contains the SH2 and PTB domains. Cten is abundantly expressed in normal prostate and placenta and is down-regulated in prostate cancer. However, overexpression of cten frequently associates with tumors derived from breast, colon, lung, stomach, skin and pancreas. A variety of cancer-associated growth factors and cytokines induce cten expression. Up-regulated cten promotes cell motility, prolongs epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, and enhances tumorigenicity. Emerging findings suggest that cten is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for various cancers.