Cancer cell invasion and metastasis are complex and related processes involving several key features. To escape the primary tumour, cancer cells must acquire the ability to invade surrounding tissues by breaking through the normal extracellular matrix (ECM) barrier that constrains cell movement within a tissue. To do this they secrete enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the extracellular matrix, allowing them to penetrate adjacent tissues. Once cancer cells invade the surrounding tissues, they can enter nearby blood vessels or lymphatic vessels in a process called intravasation which enables them to travel through either the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to distant organs or tissues. Cancer cells that successfully intravasate into blood vessels or lymphatic vessels are then carried by the circulation to different parts of the body. They can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to reach distant sites. After reaching a distant site, cancer cells then undergo extravasation, which involves exiting the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels and invading the surrounding tissue. Like local invasion, cancer cells secrete MMPs to break down the vessel walls and penetrate the surrounding tissue at the metastatic site. Once cancer cells extravasate and establish themselves in the new tissue, they can form micrometastases, small clusters of cancer cells. Over time, these micrometastases can grow into macrometastases, which are secondary tumours in the new location. To sustain their growth at the metastatic site, cancer cells induce angiogenesis by secreting growth factors such as VEGF, ensuring a nutrient and oxygen supply for the metastatic tumour. To establish metastatic growth, cancer cells must also adapt to the new microenvironment at the distant site. They interact with local cells and modify the surrounding tissue to create a supportive environment for their survival and proliferation in process is known as colonization. The cancer microenvironment refers to the totality of both cellular and non-cellular components surrounding a tumour. It is now understood to play a critical role in cancer development, progression, and response to treatment. Key features of the cancer microenvironment include: 1) Presence of stromal cells. These cells include cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells, endothelial cells, and adipocytes. CAFs are frequently the most abundant stromal cells and contribute to tumour growth, angiogenesis, and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Immune cells, such as tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, have diverse functions and can either promote or inhibit tumour progression depending on their activation status; 2) Extracellular Matrix (ECM). The ECM is a complex network of proteins, including collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, that provides structural support to tissues. In the cancer microenvironment, the ECM frequently undergoes remodelling and modification, affecting tumour cell behaviour and influencing tumour growth, invasion, and metastasis; 3) Active angiogenesis. The cancer microenvironment is characterized by an altered vascular network. Angiogenic factors, such as VEGF, are secreted by cancer cells and stromal cells, stimulating the growth of new blood vessels into the tumour; 4) Presence of hypoxic regions. Due to the abnormal and disorganized vascular network, tumours often experience inadequate oxygen supply, leading to a state of hypoxia. Hypoxia activates various signalling pathways that promote angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis and plays a role in tumour metabolism, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy; 5) Immunosuppression. The cancer microenvironment can create an immunosuppressive environment that hinders the anti-tumour immune response. Tumour cells can secrete factors that either suppress immune cell function directly or recruit immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. This immune suppression allows tumour cells to evade immune surveillance and promotes tumour growth. We provide a wide product range of research tools for investigating invasion and microenvironment, including CD31 antibodies, MUC1 antibodies, beta Catenin antibodies, MMP9 ELISA Kits, and MMP3 ELISA Kits. Explore our full invasion and microenvironment product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our ECM, Apoptosis, and Angiogenesis product ranges.