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.

Klappentext

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.

Inhalt
List of Contents.- Complex Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Tumor Progression.- Membrane Type-Matrix Metalloproteinase and Tumor Invasion.- Plasminogen Activators and Angiogenesis.- Maspin: A Tumor Supressing Serpin.- Different Roles for Plasminogen Activators and Metalloproteinases in Melanoma Metastasis.- SPARC and the Extracellular Matrix: Implications for Cancer and Wound Repair.- MUC18: A Cell Adhesion Molecule with a Potential Role in Tumor Growth and Tumor Cell Dissemination.- Lu-ECAM-1 and DPP IV in Lung Metastasis.- The E-cadherin/Catenin Complex in Invasion and Metastasis.- Biological Characteristics of Micrometastatic Carcinoma Cells in Bone Marrow.- Model Systems of Carcinoma Cell Dispersion.- Involvement of ?6 and ?v Integrins in Metastasis.- The 67-kDa Laminin Receptor and Tumor Progression.- Joint Features of Metastasis Formation and Lymphocyte Maturation and Activation.- The CD44 Proteins in Embryonic Development and in Cancer.- CD44 in Malignant Disorders.