Cancer cells invade surrounding tissues through a series of steps: 1. Loss of Cell Adhesion: Cancer cells typically lose their adhesion to neighboring cells due to a decrease in cell adhesion molecules like E-cadherin. 2. Degradation of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM): Cancer cells secrete proteolytic enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the ECM, creating a path for invasion. 3. Cell Motility: Cancer cells acquire motility through changes in their cytoskeleton, enabling them to move through the degraded ECM and invade new tissues.
