Basement Membrane and the Invasive Activity of Metastatic Tumor Cells

Many, but not all, metastatic tumor cells have a similar phenotype. These are transformed cells with a high affinity for basement membranes and the ability to produce basement membrane degrading enzymes. Such characteristics help the cells traverse this critical barrier. Traversal may be a rather ra...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:JNCI : Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1986-08, Vol.77 (2), p.311-316
Main Authors: Terranova, Victor P., Hujanen, Erkki S., Martin, George R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Basement Membrane - analysis
Basement Membrane - pathology
Cell Adhesion
Collagen - analysis
Extracellular Matrix - analysis
Extracellular Matrix - physiology
Fibronectins - analysis
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Laminin - analysis
Laminin - physiology
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Metastasis
Proteoglycans - analysis
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Many, but not all, metastatic tumor cells have a similar phenotype. These are transformed cells with a high affinity for basement membranes and the ability to produce basement membrane degrading enzymes. Such characteristics help the cells traverse this critical barrier. Traversal may be a rather rare event unless the cells respond to local factors that amplify the numbers of cells recruited to the site and induce the cells to invade. These factors may include tissue-specific attractants and matrix molecules such as laminin. Understanding the specific steps involved in the invasion process should allow development of antimetastatic regimens directed at those activities specific to metastatic tumor cells. Due to the heterogeneity of tumor cells, other mechanisms for metastasis undoubtably exist.
ISSN:0027-8874
1460-2105
1460-2105
DOI:10.1093/jnci/77.2.311