ABSTRACT
I. Introduction 349
II. Relationship Between Tumor Cell Trafficking and
Metastatic Potential 351
III. Involvement of Cell Adhesion Molecules in
Metastatic Cell Trafficking 353
IV. Determination of Intraorgan Trafficking of Metastatic Cells 357
V. Topological Distribution of Metastatic Cells as Analyzed by
Whole-Body Autoradiography 358
VI. Influence of the Immune Surveillance System on
Metastasis Cell Trafficking 360
VII. Conclusions and Future Prospects 364
References 364
I. Introduction
Cancer metastasis occurs through a complex cascade of events including the dis-
sociation of malignant cells from the primary site, intravasation, adhesion and
invasion to target organs, and growth at the sites of cell disposition (1-3)
(Fig. 14.1). A number of molecules are important to this sequential process.
Cell adhesion molecules, such as selectins (4) and integrins (5), are involved
in the tumor cells’ adhesion and invasion to the target organ. Matrix
metalloproteinases (6) help to trigger degradation of the basement membrane
and are involved in both intravasation and extravasation. Finally, chemokines
(7,8) derived from target tissues are thought to be important for determining
target tissues.
