Mj. Murray et Ba. Lessey, Embryo implantation and tumor metastasis: Common pathways of invasion and angiogenesis, SEM REP END, 17(3), 1999, pp. 275-290
Implantation of the embryo is one of the last great mysteries of reproducti
ve biology. There are striking similarities present between the behavior of
invasive placental cells and that of invasive cancer cells. In this review
, we propose that cellular mechanisms used by the cells of the placenta dur
ing implantation are reused by cancer cells to invade and spread within the
body. Integrins and other cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix an
d matrix metalloproteinases all appear to be involved and are regulated by
the complex endocrine, autocrine and paracrine milieu within the uterus. An
giogenesis is a common feature of both implantation and cancer spread. Endo
thelial cells also use similar cellular mechanisms during angiogenesis to d
igest the surrounding matrix, migrate and form Mew blood vessels. A better
understanding of the mechanism of trophoblast invasion will likely lead to
insights of various diseases of pregnancy such as preeclampsia. An apprecia
tion of the maternal mechanisms to control this invasive behavior may likew
ise lead to a better understanding of metastatic cancer cells and lead to b
etter methods to control their growth and spread within host tissues.