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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
06:36

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The signaling network of tumor invasion

G K Wang1, W Zhang

  • 1Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Histology and Histopathology
|March 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Cellular invasion, a key feature of malignant tumors, arises from interconnected signaling pathways. Understanding these complex networks, including integrin, insulin-like growth factor, and Rho GTPases, is crucial for targeting tumor invasion.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Cancer Signaling

Background:

  • Cellular invasion is a critical characteristic of malignant tumors.
  • Aberrant cell signaling mechanisms drive tumor invasion.
  • Multiple signaling pathways contribute to the invasive phenotype.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review major signaling pathways involved in tumor invasion.
  • To examine the independent contributions of key pathways to invasion.
  • To discuss the interconnectedness of these pathways in driving tumor invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on cell signaling and tumor invasion.
  • Analysis of the integrin system, insulin-like growth factor system, and Rho family GTPases.
  • Discussion of pathway interactions and their collective role in invasion.

Main Results:

  • The integrin system, insulin-like growth factor system, and Rho family GTPases are major contributors to tumor invasion.
  • Individual pathways significantly impact cellular invasion.
  • These pathways are highly networked and do not operate in isolation.

Conclusions:

  • Tumor invasion results from complex, interconnected signaling networks, not isolated pathways.
  • Understanding pathway crosstalk is essential for developing effective anti-invasion therapies.
  • Targeting these interconnected systems offers potential for novel cancer treatments.

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