ANOIKIS, detachment induced cell death

Review: Nature Reviews Cancer 7, 429–440 (1 June 2007) |

The cofilin pathway in breast cancer invasion and metastasis

Weigang Wang , Robert Eddy & John Condeelis

Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that metastatic capacity is an inherent feature of breast tumors and not a rare, late acquired event. This has led to new models of metastasis. The interpretation of expression-profiling data in the context of these new models has identified the cofilin pathway as a major determinant of metastasis. Recent studies indicate that the overall activity of the cofilin pathway, and not that of any single gene within the pathway, determines the invasive and metastatic phenotype of tumor cells. These results predict that inhibitors directed at the output of the cofilin pathway will have therapeutic benefit in combating metastasis.

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Also read:

Thymosin B

Sling Shot Homolog

Chronofin

Filamin

staurosporin

Coronin-1

HMW Isoform TM-1

Anti Rho Kinase

ADF

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This strategy of fighting cancer  is an important one; one of the main differences between a benign tumor and a malignant one is its ability to spread.  It is by spreading that the cancer will invade sensitive tissues of the host and lead to killing them by causing failure of that tissue.

We can't obviously protect against abnormality to occur and cause cancer,  the approach emphasized here is to block the cancer from spreading.  It is an important approach.

One of the ways to achieve this is ANOIKIS (detachment induced cell death). Cells within a tissue are destined to live together.  And any cell that becomes undone, will trigger more likely the 2nd law of nature through its cytoskeleton alteration and enter Apoptosis or programmed cell death.  It appears that the cancer cell prepares its departure by changing its membrane receptor composition, altering its cytoskeleton and undergo numerous changes before embarking in the metastatic process.  The Cofilin system described above by scientists is linked to the activity of ACTIN, a major component of the Cytoskeleton.  It is suspected that the entire cell has a nerve system made of Actin based complex which makes the microfilament.  This is why our 2nd law is so powerful.  Destabilization of the microfilament apparatus in the cell will beak loose all things attached to cell membrane (including Cytochrome C, the activator of caspases but also cause detachment of organelles attached to sarcoplasmic or reticulum membranes).  Again, the second law is so powerful because it is caused basically by Actin change or break.  Attacking Actin for the cell  is like attacking the skeletal and nervous system of the human being.  At the Nuclear level, attacking Actin seems to activate Endonucleases which in turn will break the DNA and trigger the first law. We are still working at the CRBCM to ascertain some of the proofs of principle mentioned here!