Attempts to Understand Metastasis Formation II

In metastasis, tumor cells disseminate from the primary lesion and home to secondary organs where they may remain dormant for a long time. Metastasis formation is still the most feared manifestation for tumor patients and clinicians. Although improvements have been made concerning earlier detection and specific therapy, most of the cancer patients still die ot distant metastases. The purpose of these three volumes is to review the recent progress in molecular metas tasis research and to attempt to further understand the biol ogy of this multifocal process. With respect to present day molecular biology, the pioneers of metastasis research established the basic concepts of metasta sis formation in the 1970s and 1980s, namely, clonal selection of metastatic cells, heterogeneity of metastatic subpopulations, organ specificity of metastasis and the importance of angio genesis (Fidler, Kripke, Nicolson, Folkman and others). In the 1980s and 1990s, several of the molecules involved were identified and their network interactions elucidated. These three volumes of Current Topics in Microbiology and Immuno logy compile the most recent developments on these meta stasis-related molecules; their interactions, regulation, and ways to interfere with their action. It became evident that metastasis-related molecules are confined to distinct cellular compartments, such as the extracellular space, the cell membrane, the cytoplasmic signalling network, and the nuclear regulatory system. For the complex tnetastatic cascade, proteolysis and alterations in adhesive functions are the most obvious and thus one of the most thoroughly investigated processes.

Texte du rabat

Within the last decade the molecular biology of tumor models has revealed the identification of several metastasis- related molecules. These volumes attempt to review the most recent approaches of their mechanisms, regulation and way to treat their malignant alterations. The first volume covers the presentation of proteases and inhibitors and their role in invasion of tumor cells, also cell adhesion molecules and their interaction with the extracellular matrix. In the second volume the regulation of tumor progression and angiogenesis by cytokines, growth factors and motility factors is outlined. The third volume deals with detection of micrometastases and therapeutic approaches, such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, chemotherapy and surgical strategies to combat metastatic spread.

Contenu
List of Contents.- Regulation of Tumor Angiogenesis by Organ-Specific Cytokines.- Cytokine-Mediated Tumor-Endothelial Cell Interaction in Metastasis.- Angiogenesis-Regulating Cytokines: Activities and Interactions.- Adhesion Molecules and Tumor Cell-Vasculature Interactions: Modulation by Bioactive Lipid Molecules.- Brain Metastasis: Role of Trophic, Autocrine, and Paracrine Factors in Tumor Invasion and Colonization of the Central Nervous System.- Epithelial Differentiation and the Control of Metastasis in Carcinomas.- Regulation of Autocrine Motility Factor Receptor Expression in Tumor Cell Locomotion and Metastasis.- Metastasis-Related mts 1 Gene.- Alterations in Cell Cycle Control During Tumor Progression; Effects on Apoptosis and the Response to Therapeutic Agents.- Differential Gene Expression in Tumor Metastasis: Nm23.- NM23/Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase as a Transcriptional Activator of c-myc.- Role of Tiam 1 in Rac-Mediated Signal Transduction Pathways.- Influence of c-myc on the Progession of Human Breast Cancer.