CELL-ADHESION MOLECULES AND COLON-CANCER

There is a general consensus that cell-cell and cell-matrix interactio ns determine, at least in part, the behaviour of colon cancer. The bio logical mediators responsible for these interactions are cell adhesion molecules belonging to several major receptor families called integri ns, cadherins, the immunoglobulin superfamily, hyaluronate receptors a nd mucins. Emerging data indicate that certain patterns of adhesion re ceptor expression are associated with more aggressive disease. The pre sent review examines the role of each of the receptor families in the development and progression of large bowel cancer.