Loss of cell adhesion is a hallmark of cancer progression as it promotes cell migration and invasion leading to metastasis. This is attributed to many factors that regulate the process of cell invasion, thus, the influence of the tumor microenvironment and cell signaling has been recently emphasized. Cadherins have been implicated in signaling not only through changes in expression patterns, but also through the direct interaction with receptor tyrosine kinases. Integrins have long been known to play an important role in the transduction of signals from the extracellular matrix. Some members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, for example, certain CAMs, elicit an inflammatory or immune response, which has great implications for cancer progression. Furthermore, endothelial cell adhesion molecules affect processes such as angiogenesis.

Recent studies have not only implicated the interaction of cell adhesion molecules with other signaling molecules to be crucial for tumor initiation and progression, but also attributed signaling function to cell adhesion molecules and their cleavage products.

In this special issue, we invite authors to present original research articles as well as review articles that will highlight the current aspects of cell adhesion signaling in the context of tumorigenesis. Reviews may summarize complex signaling pathways regulated by cell adhesion molecules, new emerging principles of cell adhesion signaling, and mechanistic insights into cell adhesion and signal transduction. The implications for different types of tumors may be addressed. Furthermore, we welcome the presentation of model systems for the study of cell adhesion signaling in vitro as well as in vivo and other technical advances in the field.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Interaction of cell adhesion molecules with receptor-tyrosine kinases
• Signaling function of cell adhesion molecule cleavage products
• Induction of cell signaling through the microenvironment
• Role of cadherins in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
• Gene expression changes in cell adhesion molecules that control signaling regulation
• Adhesion signaling and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in metastatic cell migration
• Adhesion-dependent cell polarization mechanisms in metastatic cells
• Molecular mechanisms regulating integrin traffic
• Analysis of adhesion signaling in three-dimensional culture systems
• Adhesion signaling pathways as targets for novel anticancer approaches

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jo/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: