[The role of adhesion molecules in cancer]

Adhesion molecules are cell surface proteins responsible for normal structure and function of tissues and organs. The process of tumour growth often involves alterations in expression of adhesion molecules that may lead to destruction of tissue architecture and to metastasising. This study describes behaviour of some adhesion molecules (selectins, integrins, cadherins and CD44 isoforms) in different cancers. We suggest the important role of adhesion molecules in the growth of primary and metastatic tumours and we think that precise knowledge of biological activity of these molecules may lead to development of new diagnostic methods and future immunotherapy of cancer.