Positive association of RhoC gene overexpression with tumour invasion and lymphatic metastasis in gastric carcinoma

摘要

Worldwide estimates establish gastric carcinoma as the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths. Tumour invasion and metastasis is the biggest impediment to gastric carcinoma cure. Active migration of tumour cells is now considered as the pivotal step in cancer invasion and metastasis. RhoC is a member of the Ras-superfamily of small guanosine triphosphatases that can regulate many cellular functions, especially cytoskeletal organization and cell locomotion. Overexpressing RhoC in vitro in the poorly metastatic cell line from human melanoma may induce a highly metastatic phenotype. The recent development of laser capture microdissection (LCM) affords the opportunity to further evaluate the role RhoC plays in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma cells in their native tissue environment.