BASIC SCIENCE OF CANCER FOCUS GROUPS

TUMOR CELL ADHESION, GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR SIGNALING, STROMAL INTERACTIONS, MIGRATION AND METASTASIS

SUMMARY

Members of this focus group investigate the role of cell surface and extracellular cues as well as their signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. This focus group will facilitate interactions among the Cancer Center Members that research similar biological processes in different types of cancer.

Tumor cells are influenced by their extracellular environment which can facilitate uncontrolled growth, invasion and metastasis. The cues that regulate tumor cells include growth factors, cell adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix proteins. In most tumor cells, growth factor signaling is constitutively active indicating its importance to tumorigenesis. These types of molecules may be produced by the tumor cells themselves or synthesized by the surrounding stromal cells in their local environment.

These extracellular or cell surface cues converge on various signaling pathways to regulate cell adhesion, growth and migration. The ability of tumor cells not only to recognize these cues but to alter their surrounding environment is key to both migration and invasion which are prerequisites for metastasis. Improved clinical treatment and the creation of novel therapeutics require that we understand the basic signaling pathways that regulate metastatic progression.

MEMBERS

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