Metastasis-Related Molecules (v.1) (Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3540606807 ISBN 13: 9783540606802

Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K, 1996

Synopsis

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 of distant metastases. The pu-rpose 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 metastatic cascade, proteolysis and alterations in adhesive functions are the most obvious and thus one of the most thoroughly investigated processes.

About this title

Synopsis

Since the mid-1980s the molecular biology of tumour models has revealed the identification of several metastasis-related molecules. This work, in three parts, attempts to review approaches of their mechanisms, regulation and ways to treat their malignant alterations. This first part covers the presentation of proteases and inhibitors and their role in invasion of tumour cells, as well as cell adhesion molecules and their interaction with the extracellular matrix.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3540606807
• ISBN 13: 9783540606802
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296
• Editor: Günthert Ursula, Birchmeier Walter