Aspects Of Tumor Progression Research Articles

Caveolin-1 in tumor progression: the good, the bad and the ugly

Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein with multiple binding partners that is associated with cell surface caveolae and the regulation of lipid raft domains. Cav1 regulates multiple cancer-associated processes including cellular transformation, tumor growth, cell migration and metastasis, cell death and survival, multidrug resistance and angiogenesis. However, Cav1 has been reported to impact both positively and negatively on various aspects of tumor progression and while reported to function as a tumor suppressor, it has also been identified as a poor prognostic factor in various human cancers. In this review, we survey the functional roles of Cav1 in cancer and argue that Cav1 function is interdependent on tumor stage and the expression of molecular effectors that impact on its role during tumor progression.

CD147 regulates vascular endothelial growth factor—A expression, tumorigenicity, and chemosensitivity to curcumin in hepatocellular carcinoma

CD147, also named as extracelluar matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), has been proved to be involved in several aspects of tumor progression. In addition to its ability to induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, it confers resistance to some chemotherapeutic drugs. To investigate the possible role of CD147 in the mouse hepatocarcinoma cell line Hepa1-6 with no metastatic potential in the lymph nodes, we used RNA interference (RNAi) approach to silence CD147 expression. The results showed that silencing of CD147 in Hepa1-6 cells significantly impeded the expression of VEGF-A at both mRNA and protein levels. The siRNA-treated cells exhibited significantly decreased growth ability when compared with control cells. Colony formation of CD147 deficient cells was dramatically inhibited in soft agar, and tumorigenicity was reduced in nude mice. Furthermore, the downregulation of CD147 expression also sensitized cells to be more sensitive to curcumin. These results suggested that CD147 might be a potential target for therapeutic antitumor drugs.

Src kinase regulates metalloproteinase-9 secretion induced by type IV collagen in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that collectively are capable to degrading all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and they have been implicated in several aspects of tumor progression, such as invasion through basement membrane (BM) and insterstitial matrices, angiogenesis and tumor cell growth. In particular, MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been associated with the ability of tumor cells to metastasize due to their capacity to degrade type IV collagen (Col-IV), the main component of BM, and to their elevated expression in malignant tumors. However, nothing is known about the regulation of MMP-9 secretion and expression in breast cancer cells stimulated with Col-IV. Our results demonstrate that stimulation of MCF-7 cells with Col-IV promoted the secretion of MMP-9, as revealed by gelatin zymography and Western blotting using specific antibodies that recognized MMP-9. In addition, inhibition of Src and FAK kinase activity prevented MMP-9 secretion. In contrast, MMP-9 expression was not up-regulated by treatment with Col-IV. These results demonstrate that Col-IV regulates the secretion of MMP-9 via a Src and FAK dependent pathway in MCF-7 cells.

Cyclooxygenases, prostanoids, and tumor progression

In response to various growth factors, hormones or cytokines, arachidonic acid can be mobilized from phospholipids pools and converted to bioactive eicosanoids through cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) or P-450 epoxygenase pathway. The COX pathway generates five major prostanoids (prostaglandin D(2), prostaglandin E(2), prostaglandin F(2)alpha, prostaglandin I(2) and thromboxane A(2)) that play important roles in diverse biological processes. Studies suggest that different prostanoids and their own synthase can play distinct roles in tumor progression and cancer metastasis. COX-2 and PGE(2) synthase have been most well documented in the regulation of various aspects of tumor progression and metastasis. PGE(2), for example, can stimulate angiogenesis or other signaling pathways by binding to its receptors termed EPs. Therefore, targeting downstream prostanoids may provide a new avenue to impede tumor progression. In this review, aberrant expression and functions of several prostanoid synthetic enzymes in cancer will be discussed. The possible regulation of tumor progression by prostaglandins and their receptors will also be discussed.

Manipulating the chemokine‐chemokine receptor network to treat cancer

Chemokines are chemoattractant cytokines that regulate the trafficking and activation of leukocytes and other cell types under a variety of inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions. Over the past few years, studies have increasingly shown that chemokines play an important role in several aspects of tumor progression. Tumor cells express functional chemokine receptors, which can sustain proliferation, angiogenesis, and survival and promote organ-specific localization of distant metastases. Chemokine expression in human malignancies is associated with a leukocyte infiltration favoring the establishment of immune escape mechanisms. A literature review of relevant publications on preclinical testing of cancer therapies based on interference with the cancer chemokine network was performed. The feasibility, potential advantages, and limitations of the clinical translation of the results of such studies in treatment of different tumor types and settings are discussed. The chemokine network is a key player in the establishment of metastases. In the preclinical setting, blocking agents and antibodies directed against CXCR4 prevent metastasis of different cancers. In mouse models, overexpression of selected chemokines causes tumor infiltration by distinct leukocyte subsets, resulting in tumor regression and tumor-specific immunity generation. Researchers have also successfully used chemokines as carriers and/or adjuvants for cancer vaccines. The cancer chemokine network is a multifaceted therapeutic target.

Resident stromal cell‐derived MMP‐9 promotes the growth of colorectal metastases in the liver microenvironment

Colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, has a high probability of metastasizing to the liver. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc dependent endopeptidases that are implicated in cancer metastasis and many aspects of tumor progression. Using a splenic injection experimental metastasis model, mice that are genetically deficient in MMP-9 demonstrated a nearly 2-fold decrease in liver weight compared with wild type (WT) mice following injection with MC38 syngeneic colorectal cancer cells. Bioluminesence imaging data demonstrates an early negative effect on tumor growth in MMP-9 null mice when compared with WT controls. Reconstitution of the bone marrow in MMP-9-/- mice with cells competent to produce MMP-9 did not recapitulate the WT phenotype of overwhelming burden of metastatic disease in the liver. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of MMP-9 mRNA in both MC38 tumor cells and in surrounding stromal cells, and immunostaining with anti MMP-9 was consistent with MMP-9 expression by resident liver Kupffer cells. Stromal-derived MMP-9 contributes to the establishment and growth of colorectal metastases in the liver. Stromal MMP-9 was derived from resident cells, most likely Kupffer cells, as opposed to infiltrating bone marrow-derived cells and the effect of stromal MMP-9 was independent of expression of MMP-9 by tumor cells. Stromal-derived MMP-9 may represent an important target for selective inhibition in the treatment of metastases. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Establishment in Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Mice of Subrenal Capsule Xenografts and Transplantable Tumor Lines from a Variety of Primary Human Lung Cancers: Potential Models for Studying Tumor Progression–Related Changes

Lung cancer is a biologically diverse disease and relevant models reflecting its diversity would facilitate the improvement of existing therapies. With a view to establishing such models, we developed and evaluated xenografts of a variety of human lung cancers. Using nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice, subrenal capsule xenografts were generated from primary lung cancer tissue, including moderately and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, large cell undifferentiated carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma. After 4 to 12 weeks, xenografts were harvested for serial transplantation and comparison with the original tissue via histologic, chromosomal, and cytogenetic analyses. Xenografts were successfully established. H&E staining showed that xenografts retained major histologic features of the original cancers. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed the human origin of the tumor cells and development in xenografts of murine supportive stroma. Four transplantable lines were developed from rapidly growing tumors (>5 generations), i.e., a small cell lung carcinoma, large cell undifferentiated carcinoma, pulmonary carcinosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Analyses including spectral karyotyping, comparative genomic hybridization, and fluorescence in situ hybridization, revealed that the xenografts were genetically similar to the original tumors, showing chromosomal abnormalities consistent with karyotypic changes reported for lung cancer. The subrenal capsule xenograft approach essentially provides a living tumor bank derived from patient material and a means for isolating and expanding specific cell populations. The transplantable tumor lines seem to provide good models for studying various aspects of tumor progression and a platform for developing novel therapeutic regimens, with the possibility of patient-tailored therapies.

Repression of the Antiapoptotic Molecule Galectin-3 by Homeodomain-Interacting Protein Kinase 2-Activated p53 Is Required for p53-Induced Apoptosis

Galectin 3 (Gal-3), a member of the beta-galactoside binding lectin family, exhibits antiapoptotic functions, and its aberrant expression is involved in various aspects of tumor progression. Here we show that p53-induced apoptosis is associated with transcriptional repression of Gal-3. Previously, it has been reported that phosphorylation of p53 at Ser46 is important for transcription of proapoptotic genes and induction of apoptosis and that homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is specifically involved in these functions. We show that HIPK2 cooperates with p53 in Gal-3 repression and that this cooperation requires HIPK2 kinase activity. Gene-specific RNA interference demonstrates that HIPK2 is essential for repression of Gal-3 upon induction of p53-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, expression of a nonrepressible Gal-3 prevents HIPK2- and p53-induced apoptosis. These results reveal a new apoptotic pathway induced by HIPK2-activated p53 and requiring repression of the antiapoptotic factor Gal-3.

Inhibition of basigin expression in glioblastoma cell line via antisense RNA reduces tumor cell invasion and angiogenesis

Basigin/CD147 also named extracelluar matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), has been implicated in playing very important roles in several aspects of tumor progression. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of antisense RNA of CD147 on invasion and angiogenesis of human glioblastoma U251 cells in vitro. The U251 cell line was transfected by a plasmid containing antisense CD147 cDNA. Gelatin zymography was used to determine the effect on reducing secretions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of the transfected cells. Boyden chamber was employed to test the invasion of U251 cells in vitro. We found that downregulation of CD147 resulted in reducing secretions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF. Moreover, the invasion of stable antisense transfectants was inhibited. Wound-induced migration assay also showed decreased migration in stable antisense transfectants compare to parental- and empty vector-transfected cells. Taken together, these results provide evidence that invasion of human glioblastoma cells can be inhibited by antisense RNA of CD147. Basigin/CD147 may be used as a potential target of drugs for anti-invasion and metastasis of human glioblastoma cells.

Meeting Report: The International Conference on Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance

A multidisciplinary conference was held November 7 to 9, 2004 in Philadelphia, PA to focus on the problem of drug resistance in cancer. A great deal of knowledge is beginning to unravel the complex molecular and cellular changes associated with malignant tumor progression. With this comes many opportunities for therapeutic development. Featuring the latest tools, models, and research findings, this conference which included over 250 members of both academia and industry was a great opportunity to learn and develop new approaches and collaborations. The Keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Horvitz (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), who won the 2002 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his pioneering work on the cell death pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Speakers covered various aspects of tumor progression and therapy from simple models to clinical trials.

EphA2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase as a Promising Target for Cancer Therapeutics

Eph receptors are a unique family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) that play critical roles in embryonic patterning, neuronal targeting, and vascular development during normal embryogenesis. Eph RTKs and their ligands, the ephrins, are also frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers and tumor cell lines. In particular, one family member, EphA2, is overexpressed in breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers. Unlike traditional oncogenes that often function only in tumor cells, recent data show that Eph receptors mediate cell-cell interactions both in tumor cells and in the tumor microenvironment, namely the tumor stroma and tumor vasculature. Thus, EphA2 receptors are attractive targets for drug design, as targeting these molecules could simultaneously inhibit several aspects of tumor progression. This review focuses on the multiple roles of EphA2 in cancer progression, the mechanisms by which EphA2 inhibition may halt this progression, and the pre-clinical results of EphA2 inhibition in various cancer model systems.

MT1-MMP mediates MUC1 shedding independent of TACE/ADAM17.

MUC1, a transmembrane mucin, plays a critical role in embryo implantation, protection of mucosal epithelia from microbial and enzymic attack and various aspects of tumour progression. In some species, a decrease in uterine epithelial MUC1 protein and mRNA expression accompanies embryo implantation. In other species, such as rabbits and humans, MUC1 appears to be locally removed at blastocyst attachment sites, suggesting the action of a protease. We previously demonstrated that MUC1 is proteolytically released from the surface of a human uterine epithelial cell line, HES, and identified TACE/ADAM17 (where TACE stands for tumour necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme and ADAM for A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease-like) as a constitutive and PMA-stimulated MUC1 sheddase [Thathiah, Blobel and Carson (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 3386-3394]. Further characterization of the proteolytic activity(ies) mediating MUC1 release indicates that MUC1 shedding is also accelerated by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate. Pervanadate, but not PMA, stimulates MUC1 shedding in TACE-deficient cells, indicating activation of a metalloproteolytic activity(ies) distinct from TACE. Pervanadate-stimulated MUC1 release is inhibited by the TIMP-2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-2) and TIMP-3, but is unaffected by TIMP-1, consistent with the MT-MMPs (membrane-type matrix metalloproteases). Pervanadate stimulation of MUC1 shedding is absent from MUC1-transfected MT1-MMP-deficient fibroblasts, but is restored after MUC1 and MT1-MMP co-transfection. Furthermore, overexpression of MT1-MMP in HES cells enhances pervanadate-stimulated MUC1 release, and MT1-MMP co-localizes with MUC1 in vivo at the apical surface of receptive-phase human uterine epithelia. Taken together, these studies characterize a MUC1 sheddase activity in addition to TACE and identify MT1-MMP as a pervanadate-stimulated MUC1 sheddase.

Changes in the Expression of Many Ets Family Transcription Factors and of Potential Target Genes in Normal Mammary Tissue and Tumors

Interfering with Ets transcription factor function reverses multiple aspects of the transformed phenotype of mouse or human tumor cells. However, the unknown number of individual Ets factors expressed in any cellular context and the similar DNA binding specificities of Ets family members complicates the identification of those that mediate transformation. By utilizing quantitative PCR assays for 25 mouse Ets factors, we analyzed the expression of essentially the entire Ets family in normal mammary tissue, mammary-related cell lines, and mammary tumors. In normal mammary tissue, 24 Ets factors were expressed. Even clonal derived cell lines expressed 14-20 Ets members. The most abundant Ets factor mRNAs measured in normal mammary tissue were Elk4, Elf1, and Ets2. Subtractive analysis of mammary tissue identified which Ets factors were predominantly expressed in the myeloid/lymphoid or epithelial cell compartments. Comparison of Ets factor expression in normal mammary tissue and mammary tumors identified significantly elevated expression of Pse/PDEF, Ese2/Elf5, Ese3/Ehf, TEL/Etv6, and Elf2/NERF in mammary tumors and confirmed previously reported alterations in expression of Ese1/Elf3 and the PEA3 subfamily. Expression of 13 Ets target genes, implicated in various aspects of tumor progression, was also analyzed. Altered expression of particular Ets target genes was significantly correlated with particular Ets factors (e.g. maspin and Ese2), suggesting specific in vivo regulatory roles. Together, this comprehensive analysis revealed unexpectedly diverse Ets family gene expression, characterized novel Ets factor changes in mammary tumors, and implicated specific Ets factors in the regulation of multiple genes involved in mammary tumor progression.

Reduction of TSG101 protein has a negative impact on tumor cell growth.

TSG101 was defined originally as a tumor-suppressor gene, raising the expectation that absence of the encoded protein should lead to increased tumor cell growth and, perhaps, increased tumor cell aggressiveness. We have used the RNA interference (RNAi) technique to downregulate TSG101 in PC3 (prostate cancer) and MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) cells. An approximately 85% selective downregulation at the protein level was achieved in both cell lines over a period of 12 days as detected by Western blotting. This treatment resulted in inhibition of tumor cell growth, with a decreased level of TSG101 causing partial cell cycle arrest at the G(1)/S boundary and a reduction in the rate at which cells passed from G(2) through mitosis and back into G(1). In both cell lines, the percentage of cells in S-phase was reduced significantly at day 4 after the TSG101 siRNA transfection (27% vs. 41% in MDA-MB-231 cells; 22% vs. 39% in PC3 cells). Additionally, RNAi-mediated downregulation of TSG101 reduced the colony formation capacities of both cancer cell lines. Rather more surprisingly, TSG101 downregulation affected the migratory activity of the MDA-MB-231 cells, independent of any effect on proliferation. Thus, in a Transwell assay, after 4-hr incubation, 36.0% of control MDA-MB-231 cells had migrated to the lower chamber vs. 7.3% of TSG101-downregulated cells (p < 0.001; scrambled control, 36.5%). These results show that the TSG101 gene does not comply with the usual characteristics of a tumor-suppressor gene; rather, its expression may be necessary for activities associated with aspects of tumor progression.

Cystatin M suppresses the malignant phenotype of human MDA-MB-435S cells.

Proteases are involved in many aspects of tumor progression, including cell survival and proliferation, escape from immune surveillance, cell adhesion and migration, remodeling and invasion of the extracellular matrix. Several lysosomal cysteine proteases have been cloned and shown to be overexpressed in cancer; yet, despite the great potential for development of novel therapeutics, we still know little about the regulation of their proteolytic activity. Cystatins such as cystatin M are potent endogenous protein inhibitors of lysosomal cysteine proteases. Cystatin M is expressed in normal and premalignant human epithelial cells, but not in many cancer cell lines. Here, we examined the effects of cystatin M expression on malignant properties of human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-435S cells. Cystatin M was found to significantly reduce in vitro: cell proliferation, migration, Matrigel invasion, and adhesion to endothelial cells. Reduction of cell proliferation and adhesion to an endothelial cell monolayer were both independent of the inhibition of lysosomal cysteine proteases. In contrast, cell migration and matrix invasion seemed to rely on lysosomal cysteine proteases, as both recombinant cystatin M and E64 were able to block these processes. This study provides the first evidence that cystatin M may play important roles in safeguarding against human breast cancer.

Colorectal Carcinoma Susceptibility and Metastases Are Associated with Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Promoter Polymorphisms

Tumor invasion and metastasis are important aspects of tumor progression, and the formation of tumor metastasis is a principal contributing factor to cancer morbidity and mortality (1). Basal membrane and extracellular matrix represent two physical barriers to malignant invasion: their degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a key role in tumor progression and metastatic spread (2)(3). MMP expression in tumors is regulated in a paracrine manner by growth factors and cytokines secreted by tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells as well as by tumor or stromal cells. Recent studies have suggested continuous cross-talk between tumor cells, stromal cells, and inflammatory cells during the invasion process (1)(2)(4)(5). Expression of most MMPs is usually low in tissues and is induced when remodeling of extracellular matrix is required. MMP gene expression is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level, but there is also evidence of modulation of mRNA stability in response to growth factor and cytokines (2)(6). Several lines of evidence indicate a significant association between variations in MMP genes and susceptibility to cancer. The promoter region of inducible MMP genes (i.e., MMP1 and MMP3 ) shows remarkable conservation of regulatory elements, and their expression is induced by growth factors, cytokines, and other environmental factors, such as contact with extracellular matrix (7)(8)(9). Recently, a naturally occurring sequence variation in the human MMP1 gene promoter was reported (10). Many studies have demonstrated the correlation between the 2G allele and several malignant tumors with different histogenetic origins (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Recently, our group demonstrated a correlation between the MMP3 polymorphism and breast cancer (16). Matrilysin (MMP7) is a protease with broad substrate specificity, being able to degrade elastin, proteoglycans, fibronectin, and type IV collagen. MMP7 is …

What can digital transcript profiling reveal about human cancers?

Important biological and clinical features of malignancy are reflected in its transcript pattern. Recent advances in gene expression technology and informatics have provided a powerful new means to obtain and interpret these expression patterns. A comprehensive approach to expression profiling is serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), which provides digital information on transcript levels. SAGE works by counting transcripts and storing these digital values electronically, providing absolute gene expression levels that make historical comparisons possible. SAGE produces a comprehensive profile of gene expression and can be used to search for candidate tumor markers or antigens in a limited number of samples. The Cancer Genome Anatomy Project has created a SAGE database of human gene expression levels for many different tumors and normal reference tissues and provides online tools for viewing, comparing, and downloading expression profiles. Digital expression profiling using SAGE and informatics have been useful for identifying genes that have a role in tumor invasion and other aspects of tumor progression.

Matrix metalloproteinases in tumor progression: focus on basal and squamous cell skin cancer.

Many normal biological processes, such as reproduction, fetal development and wound healing, are critically dependent on controlled degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules. However, excessive degradation of matrix components occurs in pathologic tissue destruction, e.g. in atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are degradative enzymes that play an important role in all aspects of tumor progression by enhancing tumor-induced angiogenesis and destroying local tissue architecture and basement membranes to allow tumor invasion and metastasis. Efficient breakdown of the ECM surrounding invasive cancer islands involves interplay between tumor cells, stromal cells, and inflammatory cells, all of which express a distinct set of MMPs. Besides the classical role of MMPs in degradation of ECM, MMPs may also indirectly influence the tumor microenvironment through the release of growth factors, cryptic sites or angiogenic factors, or through the generation of matrix fragments that inhibit tumor cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. This makes the contribution of MMPs to tumorigenesis much more complex than initially thought. Currently, a number of clinical studies have focused on testing MMP inhibitors as potential antineoplastic agents. In this review we discuss the present role of MMPs in the development and progression of cancer, focusing on non-melanoma skin cancers basal (BCC) and squamous (SCC) cell carcinoma, and the possible influence of MMPs in their differences.

Upregulation and differential expression of matrilysin (MMP-7) and metalloelastase (MMP-12) and their inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 in Barrett's oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is believed to arise from metaplastic mucosa in the distal oesophagus, a condition also known as Barrett's oesophagus (BE). BE develops as a result of injury caused by refluxing gastric and duodenal contents and is associated with increased risk of malignant transformation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in all aspects of tumour progression; tumour growth, basement membrane degradation, invasion and metastatic spread. Using in situ hybridization, we investigated the expression patterns of collagenases-1 and -3, stromelysin-2, matrilysin, metalloelastase and TIMPs-1 and -3 in BE, adenocarcinoma and lymph-node metastases. Matrilysin was expressed abundantly in 12/15 tumours and in 4/6 lymph-node metastases and its expression correlated with the histological aggressiveness of tumour. Matrilysin and metalloelastase were upregulated already in BE. Stromelysin-2 and collagenase-3 expression was detected only in a few tumours. Collagenase-1 was expressed by cancer and stromal cells in 9/15 tumours. Tumour-infiltrating macrophages expressed metalloelastase in 13/15 cancers. TIMPs-1 and -3 were expressed in 12/15 and 11/15 tumours, respectively. Laminin-5 and tenascin were abundantly expressed at the invasive front of poorly differentiated tumours, but not in BE. Our results indicate that matrilysin is the principal MMP expressed by tumour cells in oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and further studies are needed to investigate whether matrilysin or tenascin-C could be used as a predictive marker for progression of BE to cancer. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Modelling tumour acidity and invasion.

The intracellular pH (pHi) of mammalian cells is tightly regulated by the concerted action of a number of different pumps in the plasma membrane. Despite the acidic extracellular environment (pHe 6.8-7.0) of some tumours, the pHi of solid tumours is neutral or slightly alkaline compared to normal tissues (pHi 7.0-7.4). This gives rise to a reversed pH gradient across the cell membrane between tumours and normal tissue, which has been implicated in many aspects of tumour progression. One such area is tumour invasion: the incubation of tumour cells at low pH has been shown to induce more aggressive invasive behaviour in vitro. In this paper we use mathematical models to investigate whether altered proteolytic activity at low pH is responsible for the stimulation of a more metastatic phenotype. We examined the effect of culture pH on the secretion and activity of two different classes of proteinases: the metalloproteinases (MMPs), and the cysteine proteinases (such as cathepsin B). The modelling predicts that, in addition to metalloproteinase activity, the pH-induced peripheral redistribution of cathepsin B could be a major factor involved in the acquisition of a more metastatic phenotype in malignant cells at low pHe.