What Role Does the Law of Mass Action Play in Metastasis?
Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body. This involves a series of biochemical events that can be described by the Law of Mass Action. For instance, the interaction between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix components follows this law. The concentration of MMPs and their substrates determines the rate at which the extracellular matrix is degraded, facilitating cancer cell invasion.