Chemokines in tumor progression and metastasis

Abstract

Although chemokines have been thought of primarily as leukocyte attractants, a growing body of evidence indicates that they also contribute to a number of tumor-related processes, such as tumor cell growth, angiogenesis/angiostasis, local invasion, and metastasis. The current knowledge of the possible involvement of chemokines and their receptors in these cellular events are reviewed here. The operating mechanism of chemokines in relation to metastatic processes in vivo are also discussed. © Japanese Cancer Association.