Amy P. N. Skubitz, Principal Investigator

Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions

In ovarian carcinoma, cancer cells are shed from the surface of the ovary into the peritoneal or ascitic fluid. These cells may then adhere to the mesothelial cells and their associated extracellular matrix molecules that line the organs of the peritoneum. Subsequently, the ovarian carcinoma cells may migrate through the lining of mesothelial cells and underlying basement membrane to establish secondary growth sites. This multi-step process of adhesion, migration, and invasion eventually results in the death of the patient. These researchers are exploring the role of integrins and CD44 in the interaction between ovarian carcinoma and mesothelial cells, and are also investigating how ovarian cells that are shed into the ascitic fluid are kept in a nonadherent and/or noninvasive state. These studies represent an approach towards understanding the molecular mechanisms modulating the phenotypic behavior of carcinoma cells and may potentially aid in designing biopharmaceuticals for therapeutic use in cancer.