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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: April 24, 2015
Modulators of cancer cell invasiveness
Jean S Kan1, Gregory S Delassus, Kenneth G D'Souza
1Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104-1004, USA.
Abstract:
Cell invasiveness is essential for cancer metastasis. Many proteins, and more recently also non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), have been reported to affect the cell invasiveness of various cancers. There is an apparent gap between the high number of these macromolecules and the low number of signaling pathways experimentally verified to control cancer invasiveness. We have brought together these various proteins and RNAs because we could not find any publication that filled this important gap. We have noted 589 proteins, 28 miRNAs, and 1 long non-coding RNA that are reported to modulate invasiveness in cells of various cancers. Interestingly, 44 proteins enhance invasiveness in cells of some cancers, but suppress it in cells of others. Almost all of the proteins that show experimentally verified activation/inhibition effects on, or binding interactions with, each other are linked together in a single network, in a "hub-and-spoke" architecture. The accumulated data show trends that point to anticipated future results and highlight gaps in what is known about invasiveness signaling. Identification of cancer invasiveness signaling networks is important for combination and personalized targeted therapies of cancers.
Insights
This study identifies key proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in cancer cell invasiveness, revealing a complex signaling network. Understanding this network is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Cell invasiveness is critical for cancer metastasis.
- Numerous proteins and non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), influence cancer cell invasiveness.
- A gap exists between known molecules and experimentally verified signaling pathways controlling invasiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To consolidate and analyze known proteins and RNAs affecting cancer cell invasiveness.
- To identify and map the signaling networks governing cancer cell invasiveness.
- To highlight knowledge gaps and guide future research in cancer invasiveness signaling.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review to identify proteins, miRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs impacting cancer cell invasiveness.
- Network analysis to map interactions between identified proteins.
- Data aggregation to identify trends and knowledge gaps.
Main Results:
- Identified 589 proteins, 28 miRNAs, and 1 long non-coding RNA modulating cancer cell invasiveness.
- Observed 44 proteins with context-dependent roles (enhancing or suppressing invasiveness).
- Constructed a "hub-and-spoke" network linking interacting proteins, revealing a cohesive signaling architecture.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cell invasiveness is regulated by a complex, interconnected network of proteins and RNAs.
- The identified network provides a foundation for understanding invasiveness signaling.
- Mapping these networks is vital for advancing combination and personalized cancer therapies.
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