[Role of matrikins in melanoma progression]

Expression of melanoma invasiveness, ultimately leading to the formation of metastases, requires that cancer cells break through the successive skin barriers (dermo-epidermal junction, dermis) constituted of various extracellular matrix constituents. In order to facilitate their progression, melanoma cells express, in concert with stromal cells, a group of proteolytic systems which degrade this extracellular structures. However, proteolysis of basement membrane, collagen or elastic fibers can uncover cryptic sites or/and liberate matrix fragments whose properties appeared distinct from their intact macromolecule counterparts. Those fragments, called matrikines, are able to empede or to accelerate melanoma progression ex vivo and in vivo. Non-collagenous domains of basement membrane collagens, which behave like potent "matstatins", are seen as potential pharmacological agents in melanoma.