ABSTRACT
The interaction of cells with surrounding matrix and neighbouring cells governs many aspects of cell behaviour. Aside from transmitting signals from the external environment, adhesion receptors also receive signals from the cell interior. Here we review the interrelationship between adhesion receptors, tyrosine kinases (both growth factor receptor and non-receptor) and modulators of the actin cytoskeletal network. Deregulation of many aspects of these signalling pathways in cancer highlights the need for a better understanding of the complexities involved.
Subject(s)
Actins/metabolism , Adherens Junctions/metabolism , Integrins/metabolism , Neoplasms/metabolism , src-Family Kinases/metabolism , Animals , Binding Sites , Cadherins/metabolism , Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 , Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Humans , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , p120 GTPase Activating Protein/metabolismABSTRACT
Neutropenia is frequently observed in the practice of oncology, usually resulting from the use of cytotoxic drugs. Less frequently, neutropenia is due to infiltration of the bone marrow by malignant disease. Both of these usually cause some depletion of all haematopoietic linages. True isolated neutropenia is, in contrast, a less frequent phenomenon. We report a case of auto-immune neutropenia occurring in a patient with metastatic melanoma, and discuss the differential diagnosis and implications for patient management.
