Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Department of Clinical-Biological Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, Switzerland. gerhard.christofori@unibas.ch
Changes in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion accompany the transition from benign tumours to invasive, malignant cancer and the subsequent metastatic dissemination of tumour cells. This review discusses a possible role of cell adhesion molecules not only in redirecting a tumour cell's adhesive capabilities but also in modulating intracellular signalling, and with it, tumour malignancy.