Invasion and Metastasis

Angiogenesis

Formation of new blood vessels in tissues

Hypoxia

Low oxygen levels in tissues

Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)

a transcription factor activated by hypoxia

Ubiquitin

Protein involved in tagging other proteins for degradation

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

a protein that stimulates angiogenesis

Inherited cancer syndrome associated with excessive angiogenesis

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Syndrome

Tissue invasion

Process of tumor cells invading surrounding tissues

Basement membrane invasion

Process of tumor cells breaking down the basement membrane

Metastasis

Spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites

Hematogenous metastases

Metastases through the blood

Organ tropism

Preference of cancer cells to metastasize to specific organs

Lymph node metastases

Metastases to the lymph nodes

Detachment of tumor cells

Loss of adhesion between tumor cells

E-cadherin

Cell adhesion protein

Degradation of ECM

Breakdown of extracellular matrix by MMPs

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)

enzymes that degrade collagen and basement membrane

Chemotaxis

Movement of cells in response to chemical signals

Cytokines

Proteins involved in cell signaling

Receptors

Proteins on cell surface that bind to specific molecules

Lymphatic invasion

Invasion of lymphatic vessels by carcinoma cells

Vascular invasion

Invasion of blood vessels by sarcoma cells

Angiogenesis at distant site

Formation of new blood vessels at a distant site from the primary tumor

Normoxia

Normal oxygen levels in tissues

Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL Syndrome)

an inherited cancer syndrome

Sequence of invasion of basement membrane

Steps involved in tumor cells breaking down the basement membrane