Plasma membrane of cancer and immune cells

The plasma membrane of cancer and immune cells is the fundamental lipid bilayer that separates the intracellular environment from the extracellular space (Alberts et al., 2002). It is composed of a complex arrangement of phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins that facilitate essential biological processes, including signal transduction, nutrient transport, and cell-to-cell communication (Lodish et al., 2000). In malignant cells, the plasma membrane often undergoes significant remodeling, such as alterations in lipid composition and the overexpression of specific surface proteins, which contribute to tumor growth and immune evasion (Beloribi-Djefaflia et al., 2016). While the plasma membrane serves as the physical scaffold for numerous high-value therapeutic targets like receptors and transporters, the membrane itself is a broad cellular component rather than a discrete molecular target (Wishart et al., 2018). Consequently, it is considered an incorrect target designation for drug discovery purposes due to its lack of molecular specificity and the high risk of non-specific toxicity associated with disrupting general membrane integrity.

Other names

Cell membraneCytoplasmic membranePlasmalemmaLipid bilayer

Not applicable as this is a cellular structure/organelle rather than a specific molecular target.