Cell to extracellular matrix interactions and their reciprocal nature in cancer

Interactions between the cell and the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical in controlling the fate and behaviour of cancer cells. Alterations in either the ECM or in cellular events affect this interaction. In this mini-review we give an overview of the role of cell–ECM interactions in cancer, with a particular focus on the reciprocal nature of the cell–ECM interactions and how this contributes to cancer progression. ► Cell–ECM interactions govern fundamental cellular processes of cancer development. ► Many alterations in cell to ECM interactions occur during cancer progression. ► ECM alterations during cancer progression include ECM deposition and crosslinking. ► Altered intracellular events in cancer includes integrin and actomyosin regulation. ► Cell–ECM interactions are reciprocal in nature and include feed-forward loops.