Overview of CA IX
- Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a cell surface protein and the most widely expressed gene in response to low tissue oxygenation, i.e. hypoxia.
- It plays a crucial role in the removal of metabolic acids from the intracellular space and intracellular pH maintenance in order to secure cell survival.
- At the same time, it contributes to the acidification of the pericellular milieu, which further suppresses the natural immune system response to cancer cells.
CA IX is an outstanding biomarker and diagnostic target for hypoxic tumors
- CA IX is the best marker of hypoxic tumors
- The level of CA IX increases in response to hypoxia, which is a key factor of cancer progression and metastasis in a broad range of solid tumors.
- CA IX can be detected in various types of tumors, including carcinomas of breast, pancreas, kidney, brain, and is strongly correlated with therapeutic resistance.
CA IX and our team
- CA IX was originally discovered and characterized by the Institute of Virology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (IV-SAS).
- IV-SAS is the leading global center of expertise on CA IX, with close contacts to other outstanding research centers around the world focusing on the topic
- Our team includes two of of the co-discoverers of CA IX, including the former Director of IV-SAS (Jaromir Pastorek) and the current director of the parent entity of IV-SAS, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Silvia Pastorekova).