The Role of ECM Remodeling, EMT, and Adhesion Molecules in Cancerous Neural Invasion: Changing Perspectives.
Abhishek MukherjeePatrick HaKatherine C WaiShorook Na'araPublished in: Advanced biology (2022)
Perineural invasion (PNI) refers to the cancerous invasion of nerves. It provides an alternative route for metastatic invasion and can exist independently in the absence of lymphatic or vascular invasion. It is a prominent characteristic of specific aggressive malignancies where it correlates with poor prognosis. The clinical significance of PNI is widely recognized despite a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. The interaction between the nerve and the cancer cells is the most pivotal PNI step which is mediated by the activation or inhibition of multiple signaling pathways that include chemokines, interleukins, nerve growth factors, and matrix metalloproteinases, to name a few. The nerve-cancer cell interaction brings about specific changes in the perineural niche, which not only affects the regular nerve functions, but also enhances the migratory, invasive, and adherent properties of the tumor cells. This review aims to elucidate the vital role of adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix, and epithelial-mesenchymal proteins that promote PNI, which may serve as therapeutic targets in the future.
Keyphrases
- cell migration
- poor prognosis
- extracellular matrix
- peripheral nerve
- long non coding rna
- squamous cell carcinoma
- small cell lung cancer
- lymph node
- signaling pathway
- epithelial mesenchymal transition
- bone marrow
- cell proliferation
- biofilm formation
- escherichia coli
- oxidative stress
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- cystic fibrosis
- single molecule
- pseudomonas aeruginosa
- candida albicans