title: ICAM-1 expression determines malignant potential of cancer.
abstract: Solid tumor cells bind to ICAM-1 on endothelial surfaces via MUC-1. Tumor binding to ICAM-1 auto-upregulates tumor ICAM-1 at the leading edge of the tumor and promotes release of chemoattractants for circulating macrophages, and circulating macrophages bind to tumor-expressed ICAM-1, invoking propagation of further chemokines and cytokines that recruit neutrophils. Tight adherence between cell surface ligands on neutrophils and tumor-expressed ICAM-1 activates neutrophils to degranulate, releasing elastases, which break down endovascular and endolymphatic barriers permitting transendothelial tumor cell migration. Consequently, tumor cell ICAM-1 expression dictates metastatic potential and metastatic potential determines cancer lethality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex., USA.
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Roland
authors.forename: Alden H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Harken
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sarr
authors.forename: Carlton C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Barnett
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1