Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules: novel signaling players in epithelial ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological pathology. Recent data implicated certain immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules in ovarian cancer progression. In particular, evidence acquired in ovarian cancer and in other biological contexts, such as the nervous system, support the view that the interplay between immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules and receptor tyrosine kinases contributes to ovarian tumorigenesis. Furthermore, proteolytic processing of immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules gives rise to fragments endowed with biological activities that can support ovarian cancer development. This article will discuss the signaling function of immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules in the context of ovarian cancer progression, an issue that, on one hand, will shed light on novel pathogenic mechanisms and, on the other hand, may offer viable therapeutic targets for such a devastating disease.