title: [Adhesion molecules and cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This review was aimed at summarizing recent advances in the understanding of cell adhesion in order to discuss the possible relevance of new knowledge to the exploration of cancer patients and elaboration of therapeutic strategies.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  During the last 10 years, many adhesion molecules were identified, thus allowing to determine their tissue distribution and functional regulation. The concept of adhesiveness was refined. It is now well known that adhesive rate (i.e., the minimal contact time required for bond formation) and binding strength (i.e., the minimal force required to detach bound cells) are distinct parameters. They may be regulated independently, and influence the cell behavior in different ways. It is now possible to achieve accurate control of tumor cell adhesiveness, either by inhibiting an adhesive mechanism (through monoclonal antibodies, competitive ligands, or inhibition of receptor expression with antisense strategy or gene knock-out) or by promoting a binding mechanism (with receptor transfection or pro-inflammatory stimulation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent progress opens new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment. First, the interpretation of experimental data may be improved. Cell adhesive behavior is not entirely accounted for by the density of membrane adhesion receptors. Indeed, adhesion is influenced by receptor connection to the cytoskeleton and structure of the cell coat. An adhesion receptor may be anti-metastatic through an increase in tumor cohesion and cell differentiation, or pro-metastatic, through facilitation of cell migration towards a target tissue. New therapeutic strategies may include anti-adhesive procedure aimed at preventing metastasis formation. The potential importance of a better control of inflammatory processes is also emphasized in view of the influence of these processes on the expression of adhesion molecules.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'immunologie, Unité Inserm 387, Hôpital de Sainte-Marguerite, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierres
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Benoliel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bongrand
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules