Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12, 1009-1029; doi:10.3390/ijms12021009 OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Molecular Sciences ISSN 1422-0067 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms Review Role of Versican, Hyaluronan and CD44 in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis Miranda P. Ween 1,2, Martin K. Oehler 1,3 and Carmela Ricciardelli 1,* 1 Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; E-Mails:
[email protected] (M.P.W.);
[email protected] (M.K.O.) 2 Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia 3 Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +61-8-83038255; Fax: +61-8-83034099. Received: 30 November 2010; in revised form: 28 January 2011 / Accepted: 29 January 2011 / Published: 31 January 2011 Abstract: There is increasing evidence to suggest that extracellular matrix (ECM) components play an active role in tumor progression and are an important determinant for the growth and progression of solid tumors. Tumor cells interfere with the normal programming of ECM biosynthesis and can extensively modify the structure and composition of the matrix. In ovarian cancer alterations in the extracellular environment are critical for tumor initiation and progression and intra-peritoneal dissemination. ECM molecules including versican and hyaluronan (HA) which interacts with the HA receptor, CD44, have been shown to play critical roles in ovarian cancer metastasis. This review focuses on versican, HA, and CD44 and their potential as therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.