Proteomic approach to understand metastatic spread.
The majority of tumor-related deaths are due to metastasis. Despite the clinical importance of understanding metastasis, we lack knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell spreading and cell survival far from the primary tumor. Elucidating the molecular characteristics of highly metastatic carcinoma cells would help identify biomarkers or therapeutic targets relevant to predicting or combatting metastasis, and for this the phenotype of metastatic cells could be much more important than their genotype. Hence, proteomic approaches have wide potential utility. This review discusses possibilities of analyzing metastasis-specific protein patterns in a range of sample types, including in vitro and in vivo cancer models, and tissues and biological fluids from patients. Proteome approaches can identify proteins involved in regulating the metastatic capacities of tumors.
Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Sergej
S
Skvortsov
Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Christoph R
CR
Arnold
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Paul
P
Debbage
Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Peter
P
Lukas
Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Ira
I
Skvortsova
D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*
Biomarker; Cancer; Metastasis; Target