Metastasis: To and fro

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most life threatening diseases afflicting mankind. Oral carcinogenesis is a multifactorial process involving numerous genetic events that alter normal functions of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. These changes lead to a cell phenotype with increased cell proliferation, with loss of cell cohesion, and infiltration of adjacent tissue thus causing distant metastasis. The fact that cancer patients might develop metastasis after years or even decades from diagnosis of the primary tumor makes the metastatic process even more complex and the disease more deadly. The promise of this article is to enhance the understanding on molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis and provide a better approach towards development of novel therapeutic treatment modalities.

L1CAM as an E-selectin Ligand in Colon Cancer

“…These tetrasaccharides are the minimal binding determinants for the lectin family of E-selectin [ 32 ]. Engagement of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to endothelial cell adhesion molecules is supported by E-selectin, essentially allowing tumor cells to firmly adhere to the endothelium and invade a new organ, therefore developing metastasis [ 8 , 9 ]. E-selectin is involved in the cancer metastasis formation process in CRC [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…This interaction is crucial for the deceleration of the CTCs in the bloodstream. The tethering and rolling of CTCs are followed by firm adhesion via integrins allowing transendothelial migration and development of a secondary tumor, i.e., metastasis formation [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Circular RNAs in EMT-driven metastasis regulation: modulation of cancer cell plasticity, tumorigenesis and therapy resistance

“…Metastasis is one of the hallmarks of tumor and was coined in 1829 by Jean Claude [ 2 ]. The word “metastasis” has Greek roots and means “displacement”, with “meta” meaning next and “statis” meaning placement [ 3 ]. Metastasis refers to the process in which tumor cells migrate to another part of the body from their primary site to form new cancer cells, leading to death [ 4 ].…”

Autophagy and Cancer Metastasis: A Trojan Horse

“…2 Metastasis, a Greek word, means 'displacement' (meta meaning 'next' and stasis, 'placement'). 3 This term refers to a general description of migration and invasion of tumor cells from the primary tumor site to secondary sites. Metastasis is considered as one of the key etiologies of cancer-related death; therefore, understanding its mechanism in depth has been always on demand in basic and clinical sciences.…”

“…For the first time, Jean Claude used the term ‘metastasis’ as one of the most important hallmarks of cancer in 1829 2. Metastasis, a Greek word, means ‘displacement’ (meta meaning ‘next’ and stasis, ‘placement’) 3. This term refers to a general description of migration and invasion of tumor cells from the primary tumor site to secondary sites.…”