Modes of invasion during tumour dissemination

Mol Oncol. 2017 Jan;11(1):5-27. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.12019. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

Abstract

Cancer cell migration and invasion underlie metastatic dissemination, one of the major problems in cancer. Tumour cells exhibit a striking variety of invasion strategies. Importantly, cancer cells can switch between invasion modes in order to cope with challenging environments. This ability to switch migratory modes or plasticity highlights the challenges behind antimetastasis therapy design. In this Review, we present current knowledge on different tumour invasion strategies, the determinants controlling plasticity and arising therapeutic opportunities. We propose that targeting master regulators controlling plasticity is needed to hinder tumour dissemination and metastasis.

Keywords: Rho GTPases; actomyosin contractility; cancer metastasis; invasion; plasticity.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actomyosin / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actomyosin
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins