title: General mechanisms of metastasis.
abstract: In the present article, the steps involved in the process of tumor metastasis are discussed. Several events are required for malignant cells to leave the primary tumor and proliferate at a distant site: vessel formation (angiogenesis), cell attachment, invasion (matrix degradation, cell motility), and cell proliferation. Molecular mechanisms underlying each of these steps are described. Based on blocking these processes, new anti-metastasis therapies are being developed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pathology, Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethseda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Woodhouse
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Chuaqui
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Liotta
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006133:Growth Substances; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases