[Use of reconstituted basal membranes for the study of invasion of human tumor cells: current status and future prospects].

Tumor metastasis is the major cause of death of oncology patients. One of the characteristic properties acquired by the metastatic cell is the ability to cross basement membranes. These are compartments of extracellular matrix composed largely by collagen type IV, laminin and a heparan sulphate proteoglycan. Here we review the use of a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) in the Boyden chamber assay (Chemoinvasion Assay) for the assessment of the invasiveness of tumor cells of human origin. The possibility of using this test for the rapid evaluation of human tumor specimens from operated patients is discussed.