Research progress of heparanase in invasion and metastasis of lung cancer

Heparanase is a β-D-glucuronic acid endonulclease,which can degrade heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) only in vivo,cleave HSPG in a specific area,destruct the extracellular matrix and basement membrane,participate in the formation of new blood vessels in malignant tumors and be closely related to metastasis and invasion of malignant tumors.Thus,heparanase becomes a new target for antitumor effect,its inhibitor is expected to become a new way of clinical anti-tumor therapy.The researches of the role of heparanase in lung cancer invasion,metastasis,and treatment are reviewed in this article. Key words: Heparanase;  Lung cancer;  Invasion;  Metastasis