The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of structural proteins, glycosaminoglycans, growth fac tors, cytokines, and glycoproteins (also called matri cellular proteins). It provides structural support and directly affects cell behavior, including adhesion, migration, proliferation and survival [1]. Moreover, matricellular proteins participate in matrix cell inter actions and exert regulatory roles via a variety of molecular mechanisms [2]. Although an increasing number of ECM proteins have emerged as matricellu lar proteins, it is still difficult to accurately draw a line between structural proteins and matricellular proteins. The fibulin family of ECM proteins is essential for the formation of elastic fibers and basement membranes, and plays diverse cellular and biological functions both in matrix and neighboring cells [3], which are suppos edly included as part of the matricellular family.Fibulin 5 (FBLN 5; also known as DANCE or EVEC) is a member of Class II short fibulins and has molecular weight of 66Kda. This matricellular pro tein, identified by two research groups in an attempt to isolate a novel regulator of vascular growth, is expressed in elastin rich tissues, such as aorta, kidney, lung, uterus, adult heart, ovary and colon [4,5], and functions as a mediator of cell cell and cell matrix communications. Moreover, FBLN 5 is an endoge nous angiogenesis inhibitor and is associated with the development of cutis laxa (a genetically heritable dis order) or age related macular degeneration. Although the roles of FBLN 5 in tumorigenesis remain to be fully elucidated, recent research has revealed that FBLN 5 regulates cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in a cell and context specific manner. FBLN 5 has reduced expression in certain metastatic human tumors such as lung cancer and prostate cancer [6,7], but is overexpressed in fibrosarcoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma [8,9]. Here, the role of FBLN 5 in regulating cancer cell activities is summa rized, and the potential use of FBLN 5 as a target to prevent the growth and metastasis of human malig nancies is discussed. FBLN 5 STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS FBLN 5, a 448 amino acid protein, belongs to the fibulin family defined by the presence of two structural modules, namely EGF like domain repeats and a unique C terminal fibulin type module [3] (figure).Abstract-Altered interactions between the extracellular matrix and cells play an important part in tumori genesis and metastasis. As a member of a matricellular glycoprotein, fibulin 5 is expressed in elastin rich tis sues and organizes the matrix structures by interacting with many extracellular proteins. Fibulin 5 expression is closely associated with normal embryonic development and organogenesis. Mice deficient for the fibulin 5 gene exhibit systemic elastic fiber defects with manifestation of loose skin, emphysematous lungs and tortu ous vessels. Additionally, fibulin 5 null mice exhibited increased angiogenesis after wound healing or PVA sponge implantation and matrigel implantation exp...