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Pathophysiological implications of stroma pattern formation in uveal melanoma
Author(s) -
Clarijs Ruud,
Ruiter Dirk J.,
de Waal Robert M.W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.10214
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , melanoma , metastasis , stroma , angiogenesis , cancer research , matrix (chemical analysis) , experimental pathology , pathology , biology , extracellular , cancer , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , in vivo , immunohistochemistry , genetics , chromatography
Clinical outcome of cancer patients is mainly determined by the rate of metastasis and, also by primary tumor growth. Formation of extracellular matrix and interactions of neoplastic and non‐neoplastic (host) cells in solid tumors have been shown to be essential for these processes. One result of such interactions is the outgrowth of new blood vessels from existing ones, angiogenesis, to provide the tumor tissue with oxygen and nutrients. It is assumed that the neovascular bed also facilitates the escape of metastatic cells from the primary lesions. In addition, recent reports suggested the existence of blood‐conducting channels lined by melanoma cells (so‐called “vascular channels”) accompanied by depositions of extracellular matrix patterns in cutaneous and uveal melanoma. Since the presence of these matrix structures has been negatively associated with prognosis, we hypothesize that they play a role in melanoma outgrowth or metastasis. In this review, we will discuss the morphological and functional properties of the extracellular matrix patterns in that may underlie these clinical phenomena. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.