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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Identification and Characterization of Metastatic Factors by Gene Transfer into the Novel RIP-Tag; RIP-tva Murine Model
09:03

Identification and Characterization of Metastatic Factors by Gene Transfer into the Novel RIP-Tag; RIP-tva Murine Model

Published on: October 16, 2017

Metastasis suppressor function of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-R in mice: implications for

Anne Grosse-Wilde1, Christopher J Kemp

  • 1Department of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. agwilde@systemsbiology.org

Cancer Research
|August 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can suppress lymph node metastasis by sensitizing detached tumor cells. TRAIL therapy may be most effective for early-stage cancers before TRAIL resistance develops.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in tumor cells, showing promise for cancer therapy.
  • Previous studies indicated tissue-specific roles for TRAIL in tumor suppression.
  • The precise mechanisms of TRAIL in metastasis remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TRAIL receptor (TRAIL-R) in primary tumor formation and metastasis.
  • To determine if TRAIL's function in tumorigenesis is separable from its role in metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mouse model of multistage skin tumorigenesis.
  • Assessed the impact of TRAIL-R on primary tumor growth and lymph node metastasis.
  • Analyzed TRAIL sensitivity of tumor cells at different stages of metastasis.

Main Results:

  • TRAIL-R inhibited lymph node metastasis but did not affect primary tumor formation.
  • This suggests TRAIL's role in metastasis is distinct from its role in primary tumorigenesis.
  • Tumor cells may become sensitized to TRAIL upon detachment, an early metastatic step.

Conclusions:

  • TRAIL-R acts as a novel metastasis suppressor.
  • TRAIL-related cancer therapy may be most effective against primary tumors and early-stage metastatic cancers.
  • Targeting TRAIL before the selection of TRAIL-resistant cells is crucial for therapeutic success.

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