Factors regulating basement membrane invasion by tumor cells.

E. W. Thompson*, R. Reich, G. R. Martin, A. Albini

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Basement membranes serve as significant barriers to the passage of tumor cells but ones which metastatic cells can pass. This involves the production of a cascade of proteases leading to the activation of a specific collagenase that degrades the unique collagen network in basement membrane. Breast cancer cells, when estrogen dependent, show a requirement for estrogen for invasive activity. However, when these cells progress to an estrogen independent state and increased malignancy, they express an invasive phenotype constitutively. Studies with various anti-estrogens suggest that these responses are mediated via the estrogen receptor. Anti-estrogens lacking agonist activity suppress invasiveness as well as growth of the breast cancer cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)239-249
Number of pages11
JournalCancer Treatment and Research
Volume40
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

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