[The early steps of the metastatic process]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Biology

Context:

• Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality.
• Clinically detectable metastases appear late, but cancer cell dissemination is an early event.
• Disseminated cancer cells can enter prolonged dormancy.

Purpose:

• To explore the mechanisms behind early cancer cell dissemination.
• To investigate the selective pressures driving cancer cell spread.
• To understand the regulation of cancer cell dormancy and escape.

Summary:

• Cancer cell dissemination occurs early in cancer progression, not late as previously thought.
• The review examines how cancer cells gain dissemination ability, the pressures involved, and dormancy control.
• It discusses why some dormant cells eventually escape dormancy.

Impact:

• Provides a novel paradigm for understanding cancer progression.
• Highlights the importance of early dissemination in cancer.
• Suggests potential clinical translation for managing dormant cancer cells and preventing metastasis.