ADHESION MOLECULES IN UROLOGIC TUMORS

Adhesion molecules play an important role in organogenesis, wound heal ing, inflammation, and progression of malignant tumors. Three major cl asses of adhesion molecules may be discriminated by function: (a) calc ium-dependent homotypic adhesion molecules (e.g. cadherins), (b) subst rate adhesion molecules (e.g. integrins) and (c) heterotypic adhesion molecules (e.g. ICAM-1). Molecules of each of the three classes have b een identified in urologic tumors. Results of research on substrate ad hesion molecules and heterotypic adhesion molecules have not yet led t o new clinical concepts. In contrast, loss of E-cadherin in tumors of the bladder and prostate has been clearly associated with de-different iation of tumors and diminished survival of patients. Loss of another adhesion molecule, C-CAM, has been observed in prostate cancer. This h as led to new therapeutic approaches, which are in an experimental sta ge at present. It may be expected that, in the future, new therapeutic concepts will be based on research on adhesion molecules in urologic tumors.