The extracellular matrix is an essential component of the tumor microenvironment and affects cancer progression. Weeraratna and colleagues have now uncovered that age-related reductions in the level of hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) stimulate neoangiogenesis and compromise the vascular integrity of intratumoral blood vessels. These biological modifications converge to fuel distant melanoma metastasis.
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