Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer
10:46

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer

Published on: September 13, 2022

Adhesion dependent signalling in the tumour microenvironment: the future of drug targetting

Mary A Bewick1, Robert M Lafrenie

  • 1Integrated Cancer Program, Hôpital Régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1, Canada. mbewick@hrsrh.on.ca

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|August 22, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cellular adhesion molecules are key in cancer progression and drug resistance. Understanding their role in epigenetic changes could reveal new therapeutic targets for improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) play a crucial role in cancer development, metastasis, and chemoresistance.
  • Drug resistance significantly worsens patient prognosis, highlighting the need to understand resistance mechanisms.
  • Epigenetic factors, including cellular adhesion, influence cancer drug resistance by altering signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of cellular adhesion molecules in cancer drug resistance.
  • To identify how cellular adhesion influences signaling pathways related to cell growth and apoptosis.
  • To investigate the potential of targeting CAMs for improved cancer chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing research on CAMs in cancer.
  • Examination of epigenetic modifications associated with cellular adhesion and drug resistance.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways affected by cellular adhesion in cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • Cellular adhesion is implicated in promoting resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs.
  • Adhesion influences cell signaling, promoting growth and inhibiting apoptosis, key factors in chemoresistance.
  • CAMs offer potential for targeted chemotherapy delivery within the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular adhesion molecules are critical regulators of cancer progression and chemoresistance.
  • Targeting CAMs and their associated signaling pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies.
  • The complex interplay between CAMs, epigenetic factors, and signaling pathways presents challenges for rational therapy development.

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...