Tumor-distribution and tumor-stromal-interaction in carcinoma of the cervix uteri

Infiltration and destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) by degradative enzymes are required to facilitate the spread and invasion of tumour cells. Several types of tumour-associated proteases are responsible for ECM-degradation: matrix metalloproteases, cystine, aspartate and serine proteases (e.g. uPA and PAI-1). They are also associated with pleiotropic functions, including cell adhesion, motogenesis and angiogenesis in cervical carcinomas (CX) and are of prognostic impact. Inflammatory cellular response begins at CIN 3 and is a hallmark of microinvasion and might be a host-defense reaction against the CX.…