The role of disturbed pH dynamics and the Na+/H+ exchanger in metastasis.

Cardone, Rosa A; Casavola, Valeria; Reshkin, Stephan J · Nat Rev Cancer · 2005

review · Level V

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Abstract

Recent research has highlighted the fundamental role of the tumour's extracellular metabolic microenvironment in malignant invasion. This microenvironment is acidified primarily by the tumour-cell Na(+)/H(+) exchanger NHE1 and the H(+)/lactate cotransporter, which are activated in cancer cells. NHE1 also regulates formation of invadopodia - cell structures that mediate tumour cell migration and invasion. How do these alterations of the metabolic microenvironment and cell invasiveness contribute to tumour formation and progression?

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