Ascites Modulates Cancer Cell Behavior, Contributing to Tumor Heterogeneity in Ovarian Cancer

Overview

Journal Cancer Sci

Specialty Oncology

Date 2016 Jun 15

PMID 27297561

Citations 99

Authors

Soochi Kim

Boyun Kim

Yong Sang Song

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Malignant ascites constitute a unique tumor microenvironment providing a physical structure for the accumulation of cellular and acellular components. Ascites is initiated and maintained by physical and biological factors resulting from underlying disease and forms an ecosystem that contributes to disease progression. It has been demonstrated that the cellular contents and the molecular signatures of ascites change continuously during the course of a disease. Over the past decade, increasing attention has been given to the characterization of components of ascites and their role in the progression of ovarian cancer, the most malignant gynecologic cancer in women. This review will discuss the role of ascites in disease progression, in terms of modulating cancer cell behavior and contributing to tumor heterogeneity.

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