[The role of SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 in tumor metastasis].

The chemokine SDF-1 (CXCL12) and its receptor, CXCR4, have been implicated in organ-specific metastases of several malignancies. CXCR4 expression has recently been characterized in many cancer cell types and is thought to play a pivotal role in directing the migration of metastasizing tumor cells to SDF-1-rich tissues. SDF-1, which is highly expressed in the organs where breast cancers preferentially metastasize, has been shown to promote cancer cell migration. The tumor cells use chemotaxis which occurred between CXCR4 and its ligand SDF-1 to direct migration from their primary sites via the circulation to the preferential sites of metastases, and further studies on the mechanism involved in a variety of cellular signaling pathways are beneficial to tumor therapy.