Signaling Pathways and Molecular Mediators in Metastasis

Signaling Pathways & Molecular Mediators in Metastasis


This work presents the most advanced discoveries from translational research laboratories directly involved in
identifying molecules and signalling pathways that play an instrumental role in metastasis. In contrast to other works,
conventionally focused on a single type of tumour, the various chapters in this book provide a broad perspective of the
similarities and discrepancies among the dissemination of several solid malignancies. Through recurrent and overlapping
references to molecular mechanisms and mediators, the readers will gain knowledge of the common ground in metastasis
from a single source. Finally, an introductory chapter provides a clinical perspective of the problems presented by
metastatic tumours for diagnosis and treatment. The work presented here is directed to researchers in tumour biology
with a developing interest in metastatic dissemination as well as medical and graduate students seeking to expand and
integrate the notions acquired in basic cancer biology and oncology courses.


Preface.-1. Introduction.I. Local invasion.-2. Reactivation of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Invasive and
Metastatic Cancer.-3. Biomechanical ECM Switches and Tumor Metastasis.-4. Moving aggressively: S100A4 and Tumor
Invasion.- 5. Shift in TGF-b-induced signaling as culprit for local invasion and dissemination.-6. Role of Rac1-GEF and
Dock180 in mediating tyrosine-kinase stimulated glioma invasion.- 7. Impact of tumor hypoxia, Src and Met signaling in
the dissemination of tumor cells.II. Homing and colonization at distant sites.-8. Cellular and Molecular Biology of
Cancer Cell extravasation.- 9. Role of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in tumor biology and metastasis.-10. Transcription factors
Stat5a/b and Stat3 in prostate cancer growth and metastases.-11. Survival and growth of early metastatic foci in the
bone: Role of the alpha-receptor for Platelet-Derived Growth Factor.-12. Androgen receptor in regulation of prostate
cancer progression and metastasis.- 13. Integrin signaling in angiogenesis and metastatic progression in the brain.-14.
Tumor and host determinants of pulmonary metastasis in bladder cancer.-15. The Influence of metastatic breast cancer on
the bone microenvironment. Index.