Blastocyst embedding is very similar to
neoplasm invasion. Blastocyst embedding is seeding the young plant of life, while
neoplasm invasion is knocking at the door of death. Overexpression of
melanoma cell adhesion molecule (CD146 or MCAM), a novel member of the immunoglobulingene superfamily, promotes invasion,
metastasis, growth and survival of malignant cells, and implantation of blastocyst embedding in placenta. We hypothesize that CD146 may be a key gene both in
neoplasm invasion and blastocyst embedding because of its ability in regulating cell invasion. The regulation of CD146 expression may be a control switch in the progress of the
neoplasm invasion and blastocyst embedding. If the hypothesis is correct, the inhibition of CD146 can be used to prevent and/or treat
tumor invasion. Current treatment modalities of
tumor invasion include different
therapies: surgical resection,
radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, etc. These treatments are all non-specific to
tumor cells. If further studies proof our hypothesis, CD146 may be a candidate target gene in gene therapy of
tumor invasion and in regulation of blastocyst embedding.