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Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Isolation of Proximal Fluids to Investigate the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Published on: November 5, 2020
Matricellular proteins in cancer: a focus on secreted Frizzled-related proteins
Krista Marie Vincent1,2, Lynne-Marie Postovit3
1Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 114th St and 87th Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada.
Abstract:
Tumours are complex entities, wherein cancer cells interact with myriad soluble, insoluble and cell associated factors. These microenvironmental mediators regulate tumour growth, progression and metastasis, and are produced by cancer cells and by stromal components such as fibroblast, adipocytes and immune cells. Through their ability to bind to extracellular matrix proteins, cell surface receptors and growth factors, matricellular proteins enable a dynamic reciprocity between cancer cells and their microenvironment. Hence, matricellular proteins play a critical role in tumour progression by regulating where and when cancer cells are exposed to key growth factors and regulatory proteins. Recent studies suggest that, in addition to altering Wingless (Wnt) signalling, certain members of the Secreted Frizzled Related Protein (sFRP) family are matricellular in nature. In this review, we outline the importance of matricellular proteins in cancer, and discuss how sFRPs may function to both inhibit and promote cancer progression in a context-dependent manner. By considering the matricellular functionality of sFRPs, we may better understand their apparently paradoxical roles in cancers.
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