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Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Analysis of Cancer Cell Invasion and Anti-metastatic Drug Screening Using Hydrogel Micro-chamber Array HMCA-based Plates
Published on: October 25, 2018
Hyaluronan network: a driving force in cancer progression
Theodoros Karalis1, Spyros S Skandalis1
1Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
Abstract:
Hyaluronan is one of the most abundant macromolecules of the extracellular matrix and regulates several physiological cell and tissue properties. However, hyaluronan has been shown to accumulate together with its receptors in various cancers. In tumors, accumulation of hyaluronan system components (hyaluronan synthesizing/degrading enzymes and interacting proteins) associates with poor outcomes for the patients. In this article, we review the main roles of hyaluronan in normal physiology and cancer and further discuss the targeting of hyaluronan system as an applicable therapeutic strategy.
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