Tumour cell invasion and metastasis is a highly orchestrated process in which the malignant cells exhibit an altered relationship to the surrounding host stroma. This is reflected in a change in expression pattern of the receptors which mediate cell-cell and cell-stromal interactions. Down regulation of E-cadherin and of many integrin receptors is associated with tumour development. Conversely, up-regulation or de novo expression of certain integrin receptors enhances tumour cell invasion. It is of fundamental importance to elucidate the mechanisms controlling expression of cell adhesion molecules, and the effects of their altered expression. Cell adhesion molecule expression may be altered by changes in cytoskeletal protein interactions, and there is evidence that both integrin and possibly E-cadherin mediated signalling can modulate expression of matrix degrading proteases, which would further influence invasive and metastatic behaviour.

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