ISSN:
1573-7039
Keywords:
BREAST CARCINOMA
;
EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX
;
LAMININ
;
FIBROBLASTS
;
MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES
;
IN VIVO TUMORIGENICITY
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The malignant progression of tumors is thoughtto be related to the expression of oncogenes and loss ofexpression of tumor suppressor gene. These factors areintrinsic to the cancer cells themselves. However, carcinomas are also infiltrated by host cells(fibroblasts, endothelial cells, inflammatory cells) andsurrounded by an extracellular matrix which isextensively remodeled. The extracellular matrixcomponents and infiltrating host cells provide amicroenvironment that conditions both tumor progressionand the metastatic process. Transplantation of humantumors into athymic nude mice has become an importantexperimental approach to study the biology of human cancers.The different models developed so far are beginning toelucidate the role of matrix molecules, growth factorsand enzymes as well as fibroblasts in tumor progression. These animal models are likely toprovide a useful tool to evaluate new antitumortreatments.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1018703208453
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