REVIEW

The molecular pathogenetic role of cell adhesion in endocrine neoplasia

S Ezzat¹ and S L Asa²

¹ Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Endocrine Oncology Site Group, Mount Sinai and Princess Margaret Hospitals, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G-1X5
² Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Toronto

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S Ezzat
600 University Avenue 437, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G-1X5; sezzat{at}mtsinai.on.ca

It is becoming increasingly evident that cell adhesion is an important determinant of organised growth and the maintenance of architectural integrity. Indeed, reduced adhesiveness between cells and with the extracellular matrix is a hallmark of neoplastic growth. In neuroendocrine tissues, neural cell adhesion molecule is implicated in modulating cell growth, migration, and differentiation. This review will focus on the molecular pathways involving key growth factor receptors that govern normal adhesive forces. The extent to which disruption of these adhesive forces contributes to the tumorigenic process in neuroendocrine tissues will be highlighted. Validation of the functional relevance of these adhesive pathways will be discussed in light of targeted pharmacotherapeutic studies that are unmasking novel approaches to the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours.

Abbreviations: AdsFlt, adenoviral soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1; FGF, fibroblast growth factor; FGFR, fibroblast growth factor receptor; Ig, immunoglobulin; MEN, multiple endocrine neoplasia; NCAM, neural cell adhesion molecule; ptd, pituitary tumour derived

Keywords: fibroblast growth factor receptors; pituitary tumours; pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours; cell adhesion

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Di Florio, A., Capurso, G., Milione, M., Panzuto, F., Geremia, R., Fave, G. D., Sette, C. (2007). Src family kinase activity regulates adhesion, spreading and migration of pancreatic endocrine tumour cells. Endocr Relat Cancer 14: 111-124 [Abstract] [Full Text]