Cancer progression is perpetrated through interactions with the microenvironment.
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The SLRP lumican is an important component of the tumor microenvironment.
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Lumican organizes tumor matrix.
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Lumican affects tumor cell signaling and functions.
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Lumican affects tumor angiogenesis and inflammation.
Abstract
The consecutive steps of tumor growth, local invasion, intravasation, extravasation and invasion of anatomically distant sites are obligatorily perpetrated through specific interactions of the tumor cells with their microenvironment. Lumican, a class II small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRP) has been designated key roles both in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and as an important modulator of biological functions. This review will critically discuss lumicans' roles in tumor development and progression. We will especially focus on correlating lumicans' expression and distribution in tumor tissues with: (1) the organization of the tumor matrices; (2) tumor cell signaling and functions; (3) tumor cell–matrix interface; (4) tumor angiogenesis; and (5) lumicans' potential roles in tumor-associated inflammatory response. Present knowledge of lumicans' biology provides a fundamental platform upon which to build and deepen our understanding of lumican function in tumorigenesis in order to be able to design credible anti-tumor approaches.