Title:Cell-adhesion Molecules as Key Mechanisms of Tumor Invasion:
The Case of Breast Cancer
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Author(s): Carla Luís, Raquel Soares, Rúben Fernandes and Mónica Botelho*
Affiliation:
- Instituto de
investigação e inovação em saúde, i3s, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- National Health Institute Ricardo
Jorge, Porto, Portugal; Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LABMI-PORTIC, Laboratory of
Medical & Industrial Biotechnology, Porto Research, Technology and Innovation Center, Porto, Portugal
Keywords:
Breast cancer, metastasis, cell adhesion molecules, cadherins, selectins, integrins, igcam.
Abstract:
Cancer is a major health problem worldwide and the second leading cause of
death following cardiovascular diseases. Breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality
and morbidity among women and one of the most common malignant neoplasms prompt
to metastatic disease.
In the present review, the mechanisms of the major cell adhesion molecules involved in
tumor invasion are discussed, focusing on the case of breast cancer. A non-systematic
updated revision of the literature was performed in order to assemble information
regarding the expression of the adhesion cell molecules associated with metastasis.