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Updated: May 13, 2026
A Permanent Window for Investigating Cancer Metastasis to the Lung
Published on: July 1, 2021
Metastasis: New insights into organ-specific extravasation and metastatic niches
Anja Irmisch1, Joerg Huelsken1
1Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research and National Center of Competence in Research "Molecular Oncology", 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The appearance of clinically detectable metastases is the end-point of a complex set of biological processes only few cancer cells are capable to complete. Metastatic colonization comprises the most inefficient metastatic steps as it requires a fine-tuned crosstalk between the disseminated cancer (stem) cells and their host microenvironment. The origin of the cancer cell and its intrinsic properties are factors that together with the organ microenvironment and circulation patterns determine the site of metastatic spread, the dormancy period and the extent of metastasis formation. Recent advances provide novel insights into the molecular components required for organ-specific infiltration, the composition of growth-supportive metastatic niches in different tissues and the cancer cell-niche crosstalk.
Insights
Metastatic colonization is an inefficient process requiring cancer cells to interact with their environment. Understanding this cancer cell-niche crosstalk is key to controlling cancer spread.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Clinically detectable metastases result from complex biological processes.
- Metastatic colonization is a highly inefficient step in cancer progression.
- Cancer cell dissemination and survival depend on interactions with the host microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of organ-specific cancer cell infiltration.
- To characterize the composition of metastatic niches in various tissues.
- To understand the crosstalk between cancer cells and their microenvironment during metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of molecular components involved in organ colonization.
- Investigation of metastatic niche composition.
- Study of cancer cell-host microenvironment interactions.
Main Results:
- Identified key molecular factors enabling organ-specific infiltration.
- Characterized the distinct compositions of growth-supportive metastatic niches.
- Revealed critical aspects of cancer cell-niche crosstalk.
Conclusions:
- Metastatic colonization is a complex, inefficient process.
- Organ-specific factors and cancer cell properties dictate metastatic spread.
- Understanding cancer cell-niche crosstalk offers therapeutic targets.
