Control of melanoma cell invasion by type IV collagen

Malignant melanoma is the leading cause of death from diseases of the skin. This review summarizes the data from the literature and our laboratory addressing the effects of type IV collagen on melanoma progression. Many different sequences from type IV collagen promote melanoma cell adhesion, migration and invasion. The triple helical conformation of the collagenous domain plays a critical role in some of these interactions. However, recent studies from our group demonstrated that a sequence from the alpha 3(IV) NCl domain inhibits melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion by decreasing NIMP production and activation. Peptide sequences from the alpha 1(IV), alpha 2(IV) and alpha 3(IV) chains named arresten, canstatin and tumstatin, respectively were shown to inhibit angiogenesis. Further investigations regarding the inhibitory effects of the alpha(IV) NCl domains will have a paramount relevance for the design of efficient strategies to limit melanoma development. (c) 2004 International Society for Preventive Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.