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Updated: Apr 9, 2026
05:48
Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: March 18, 2014
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Extracellular matrix as target for antitumor therapy.
Revekka Harisi1, Andras Jeney1
11st Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Oncotargets and Therapy
|June 20, 2015
Summary
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role in tumor progression. Targeting specific ECM components like heparanase and αvβ5 integrin shows promise for cancer therapy and metastasis control.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Tumors exhibit significant morphological alterations in surrounding tissues.
- Aberrant cellular regulation highlights the active role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the tumor ECM.
- To assess its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of established research on ECM components in tumors.
- Analysis of ECM's role in tumor cell regulation and progression.
- Identification of promising ECM-based therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Diverse ECM components (proteoglycans, matrix proteins, integrins) present challenges for comprehensive targeting.
- Elevated heparanase levels and prominent αvβ5 integrin expression are identified as promising targets.
- Inhibition of glycosaminoglycan is a viable approach for proteoglycan-stimulated tumors.
Conclusions:
- Targeting specific ECM components offers a potential strategy to control ECM-mediated signaling and tumor metastasis.
- Selective ECM inhibitors could be valuable tools in cancer therapy.
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