Studying cancer and metastasis: how multiphoton microscopy contribute to this

Abstract

Cancer is worldwide a deadly disease and results in many deaths. Tumor formation can be induced by several factors, such as mutations in genes and viruses. Genes affected by mutations are mainly tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, which results in the up- or downregulation of cellular processes. During tumor formation metastasis can occur as well and this result in many deaths due to cancer. Metastasis is a complex and dynamic process, consisting of many steps, like cell detachment and intravasation. Immunohistochemistry is mainly used to study metastasis, but nowadays intravital microscopy techniques are used as well. With intravital microscopy we are able to answer the questions, which still remain about metastasis. We are now able to follow metastasis in vivo over time with intravital microscopy. Multiphoton microscopy is one of the techniques which is used to study metastasis. With the use of fluorescent proteins, such as GFP and photoswitchable proteins, it is possible to follow single cells over time during metastasis to gain more knowledge about metastasis. This can help in developing