2014 May 22 | Evanthia T. Roussos, John S. Condeelis, and Antonia Patsialou
This review discusses the critical role of chemotaxis in cancer progression, particularly in tumor dissemination and metastasis. Chemotaxis is the directional movement of cells in response to chemical gradients, and it plays a central role in various physiological and pathological processes, including inflammation and organ development. In cancer, chemotaxis is essential for the initial invasion, intravasation, extravasation, and growth of tumor cells at distant sites. The review highlights how chemotaxis is regulated by chemokines, growth factors, and their receptors, and how these factors influence the cytoskeletal dynamics and signaling pathways that control cell migration. The authors also discuss the importance of chemotaxis in shaping the tumor microenvironment, including immune evasion, angiogenesis, and invasion. They emphasize the potential of chemotaxis as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target, and the recent advancements in understanding and targeting chemotactic pathways in cancer. The review concludes by exploring the clinical implications of chemotaxis in cancer therapy and the need for further research to develop effective treatments.This review discusses the critical role of chemotaxis in cancer progression, particularly in tumor dissemination and metastasis. Chemotaxis is the directional movement of cells in response to chemical gradients, and it plays a central role in various physiological and pathological processes, including inflammation and organ development. In cancer, chemotaxis is essential for the initial invasion, intravasation, extravasation, and growth of tumor cells at distant sites. The review highlights how chemotaxis is regulated by chemokines, growth factors, and their receptors, and how these factors influence the cytoskeletal dynamics and signaling pathways that control cell migration. The authors also discuss the importance of chemotaxis in shaping the tumor microenvironment, including immune evasion, angiogenesis, and invasion. They emphasize the potential of chemotaxis as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target, and the recent advancements in understanding and targeting chemotactic pathways in cancer. The review concludes by exploring the clinical implications of chemotaxis in cancer therapy and the need for further research to develop effective treatments.