Molecular basis of tumor progression: mechanisms of organ-specific tumor metastasis.
Tumor cell metastasis is an extremely complex process governed by many different classes of molecules with each class having a separate function. Metastasis is the result of multiple sequential steps and is a highly organized, nonrandom, and organ-selective process. Recent advances in tumor and molecular biology have permitted the identification of a variety of heterogeneous molecules governing invasion (degradative enzymes, motility factors), adhesion (integrins, selectins, cadherins, immunoglobulin-like superfamily, annexins), and growth (paracrine and autocrine growth factors) of tumor cells. This diverse group of biological molecules is collectively responsible for determining whether tumor cells can progress from a single malignant cell to a lethal, multiorgan, metastatic disease.
Department of Surgery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612.
T J
TJ
Yeatman
G L
GL
Nicolson
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009928:Organ Specificity
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules