Fig. 1
From: The role of extracelluar matrix in osteosarcoma progression and metastasis
ECM changes in OS progression and metastasis. The primary components of ECM in normal bone are significantly changed in osteosarcoma (OS). Due to activated fibroblasts, cancer cells, collagen deposition, fibronectin, and other ECM components, ECM production is dramatically increased which results in a stiffer stroma and more aggressive phenotype. The basement membrane surrounding the primary tumor site is broken down by ECM remodeling enzymes allowing for OS cells from the primary tumor to undergo hematogenous spread where they frequently seed the lung