Strategies of targeting the extracellular domain of RON tyrosine kinase receptor for cancer therapy and drug delivery

Purpose: Cancer is one of the most important life-threatening diseases in the world. The current efforts to combat cancer are being focused on molecular-targeted therapies. The main purpose of such approaches is based on targeting cancer cell-specific molecules to minimize toxicity for the normal cells. RON (Recepteur d’Origine Nantais) tyrosine kinase receptor is one of the promising targets in cancer-targeted therapy and drug delivery. Methods: In this review, we will summarize the available agents against extracellular domain of RON with potential antitumor activities. Results: The presented antibodies and antibody drug conjugates against RON in this review showed wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities promising the hope for them entering the clinical trials. Conclusion: Due to critical role of extracellular domain of RON in receptor activation, the development of therapeutic agents against this region could lead to fruitful outcome in cancer therapy.