Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
08:05
Generation of a Mouse Prostate Organoid-Based Model for Studying Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: February 27, 2026
Stromal-epithelial interaction in prostate cancer progression.
Leland W K Chung1, Wen-Chin Huang, Shian-Ying Sung
1Molecular Urology and Therapeutics Program, Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. lwchung@emory.edu
Clinical Genitourinary Cancer
|October 10, 2006
Summary
Cancer cells mimic their host environment through epigenetic regulation, influencing gene expression and leading to osteomimicry and vasculogenic mimicry. Understanding these cancer-host interactions can lead to new prostate cancer metastasis treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cancer is a complex disease influenced by the host microenvironment.
- Cancer cell genetics and gene expression are dynamic and epigenetically regulated by host-gene interactions.
- The tumor microenvironment significantly impacts cancer cell behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe molecular pathways enabling cancer cells to mimic the host microenvironment.
- To investigate osteomimicry and vasculogenic mimicry in cancer cells.
- To explore the role of host inflammatory and stem cells in cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of molecular pathways involved in cancer cell mimicry.
- Investigation of soluble and insoluble factors in the tumor microenvironment.
- Evaluation of host inflammatory and stem cell contributions to cancer growth.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells exhibit osteomimicry and vasculogenic mimicry by mimicking the host microenvironment.
- Soluble and insoluble factors within the tumor microenvironment regulate these mimicry properties.
- Host inflammatory and stem cells are crucial for cancer cell growth and survival.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cancer-host interactions is key to developing novel therapeutics.
- Targeting both cancer cells and the host environment offers a promising strategy for treating lethal prostate cancer metastases.
- Epigenetic regulation by the host plays a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:30Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...