STROMAL CELL EXPRESSION OF COMPONENTS OF MATRIX-DEGRADING PROTEASE SYSTEMS IN HUMAN CANCER

Components of matrix-degrading protease systems are in human cancer of ten expressed by tumour-infiltrating stromal cells. The cellular patte rn of expression of these molecules appears to be unique for each type of cancer. In several cases there are similarities with patterns obse rved in nonmalignant remodelling processes in the same tissue. These f indings indicate that the stromal cells actively participate in the pr ocess of cancer invasion. The implications of this new paradigm for ca ncer biology and cancer treatment are discussed.