The detachment cascade during metastasis.
The cause of detachment of tumour cells during metastasis is still one of the most intriguing questions of tumour propagation. A hypothesis is suggested herein for lysis of extracellular matrix that could ultimately lead to the detachment and spreading of malignant cells. According to this theory a certain optimal estrogen level initiates a series of enzymatic activations that culminate in detachment and spreading of tumour cells.
van Aswegen
C H
CH
Department of Urology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
du Plessis
D J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism
D004967:Estrogens; D006133:Growth Substances; D011453:Prostaglandins; D010958:Plasminogen; D003094:Collagen; D005341:Fibrinolysin; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D017364:Collagenases