Metastatic Cell: Behaviour and biochemistry

The normally functioning cell has controls which prevent it proliferating and invading regions of the body from which it is normally excluded. Under certain conditions, the normal rules breakdown and cell proliferation and migration, or metastasis, leads to the formation of tumours. The metastatic behaviour of malignant tumour cells is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths. This book deals with the behaviour and biochemistry of errant cells, a subject that is at the forefront of current reserch in cellular and molecular biology, providing general and specialized information on cell adhesion and mobility in the metastatic process, the behaviour of the cells involved and how they differ from normal cells. Whilst not intended to be all-encompassing, this book provides a general background to the metastatic cell, describing the current status of knowledge about its genotype and phenotype and discussing aspects of its behaviour which are thought to be crucial in the metastatic response. Possible future directions for research and ways in which metastasis might be controlled are also covered. The book aims to give senior biological, medical and veterinary students an understanding of the metastatic cell and is a synthesis of current research for more advanced workers.