Germinal tumor invasion and the role of the testicular stroma.
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most frequent neoplasia among young people and their incidence has grown very quickly during recent decades in North America and Europe. Many studies have been carried out in order to elucidate the factors involved in the appearance and progression of these tumors. Little is known about the role of cancer cell-stroma crosstalk in TGCT invasive processes. Here, we review several factors which may be implicated in germ cell tumor progression, such as matrix metalloproteinases, insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, the cadherin/catenin complex and integrins. Paradoxically, some of these molecules are also involved in the regulation of normal testicular function. Finally, we discuss prospects for future research on the role of the stroma in the progression and differentiation of male germ cell tumors.
Díez-Torre
Alejandro
A
Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, E-48940 Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain.
Silván
Unai
U
De Wever
Olivier
O
Bruyneel
Erik
E
Mareel
Marc
M
Aréchaga
Juan
J
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000473:pathology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology
D005353:Fibronectins; D006133:Growth Substances; D007797:Laminin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases