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The Extracellular Matrix in Digestive Cancer

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Cancer Microenvironment

Abstract

The extracellular components of the cancer microenvironment play a critical role in tumor initiation, progression and invasion. In this review we examine the normal formation and function of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix. We characterize the interactions between the matrix and the epithelium and explore the causes and consequences of the extracellular remodeling that accompanies carcinogenesis. Finally, we address the therapeutic possibilities of incorporating matrix as well as epithelial strategies in the management of digestive cancer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr Michael Quante for supplying Fig. 3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Research Foundation Clinical Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Daniel L. Worthley

  2. Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Daniel L. Worthley

  3. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Andrew S. Giraud

  4. Division of Liver and Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, 1130 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 923, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Timothy C. Wang

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  1. Daniel L. Worthley
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  2. Andrew S. Giraud
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  3. Timothy C. Wang
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Correspondence to Timothy C. Wang.

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Sources of support

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians Cottrell Fellowship, the Queensland State Government Smart State PhD award and the NHMRC/RG Menzies fellowship (D.L.W).

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Worthley, D.L., Giraud, A.S. & Wang, T.C. The Extracellular Matrix in Digestive Cancer. Cancer Microenvironment 3, 177–185 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12307-010-0053-4

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