The role of selectins in cancer metastasis

Selectins are molecules that help cells stick to each other. In cancer, they enable tumor cells to attach to the walls of blood vessels, which is a key step in spreading (metastasis). By interacting with other cells, selectins help cancer cells travel through the bloodstream, escape into new tissues, and form new tumors. Understanding their role provides insight into how cancer spreads and offers potential targets for therapies to prevent or slow metastasis.