Metastasis Update: Human Prostate Carcinoma Invasion via Tubulogenesis
2011

Prostate Cancer Invasion and Tubulogenesis

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Raymond B. Nagle, Anne E. Cress

Primary Institution: The University of Arizona

Hypothesis

Human prostate carcinoma primarily invades as a cohesive cell collective through a mechanism similar to embryonic tubulogenesis, instead of the popular epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) model.

Conclusion

The study suggests that prostate cancer invades through a process resembling embryonic tubulogenesis rather than EMT.

Supporting Evidence

  • Prostate cancer primarily invades through cohesive cell migration rather than single-cell invasion.
  • Changes in cell adhesion molecules are observed in prostate cancer tissues.
  • Low-grade prostate carcinomas maintain cell cohesion through tight junction components.

Takeaway

Prostate cancer spreads by groups of cells sticking together, like how tubes form in embryos, instead of individual cells breaking away.

Methodology

The review discusses morphological observations, molecular marker expression studies, and the implications of the tubulogenesis model on therapeutic strategies.

Limitations

The study primarily reviews existing literature and does not present new experimental data.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2011/249290

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