K. Charalabopoulos*, V. Papalimneou, A. Charalabopoulos
Ioannina University Medical School, Ioannina 451 10, Greece Resume. Adhesion molecules play an important role in normal and disease processes and are implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. In the last decade, the role of some adhesion molecules in lung cancer as possible biomarkers has been enthusiastically investigated. In this review article we discuss the role of some integrins, E-cadherin, ICAM-1, VCAM, NCAM, CEA, selectins and CD-44 as novel tumor tools in the pathology of the lung cancer. Key words: adhesion molecules, lung cancer, cadherins, integrins, selectins, IgSF, CD44.
Abstract. An approach to the adhesion molecules and to the role that they play in the whole carcinogenetic process is attempted by this article. The structure, function and their characteristics as well as the role of some important members of the five major families (integrins, cadherins, immunoglobulin gene superfamily, selectins, and CD44) of adhesion molecules are discussed. Data from basic and applied clinical research are given.
