The Role of Immunoglobulin Superfamily Cell Adhesion Molecules in Cancer Metastasis

The Role of Immunoglobulin Superfamily Cell Adhesion Molecules in Cancer Metastasis

Blog Article

Metastasis is a major clinical problem and results in a poor prognosis for most cancers.The metastatic pathway describes the process by which cancer cells give rise to a metastatic lesion in a new tissue or organ.It consists of interconnecting steps all of which must be successfully completed to result in a metastasis.Cell-cell adhesion is a key aspect of many of these steps.Adhesion molecules belonging to the short knee length kurtis immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig-SF) commonly play a central role in cell-cell adhesion, and a number of these molecules have been associated with cancer progression and a metastatic phenotype.

Surprisingly, the contribution of Ig-SF members to metastasis has not received the attention afforded other cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) such as the integrins.Here we examine the steps in the metastatic pathway focusing on jinsoon+coupons how the Ig-SF members, melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), L1CAM, neural CAM (NCAM), leukocyte CAM (ALCAM), intercellular CAM-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet endothelial CAM-1 (PECAM-1) could play a role.Although much remains to be understood, this review aims to raise the profile of Ig-SF members in metastasis formation and prompt further research that could lead to useful clinical outcomes.