Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
07:39
The Establishment of a Lung Colonization Assay for Circulating Tumor Cell Visualization in Lung Tissues
Published on: June 16, 2018
9.1K
Microenvironmental Influences on Metastasis Suppressor Expression and Function during a Metastatic Cell's Journey
Wen Liu1, Carolyn J Vivian, Amanda E Brinker
1Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
Summary
Metastasis, the spread of cancer, causes most cancer deaths. Liquid biopsies offer a promising, less invasive way to analyze circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA for better prognosis and personalized treatment. Understanding metastasis suppressors is key.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant sites, accounts for up to 90% of cancer-related mortality.
- Current methods for assessing metastatic potential, like primary tumor biopsies, are imperfect due to tumor heterogeneity and invasive procedures.
- Accurate prognostication is crucial for tailoring treatments and avoiding unnecessary therapies, especially in early-stage cancers like breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functions of metastasis suppressors at various stages of the metastatic cascade.
- To highlight the potential of liquid biopsies for a more comprehensive assessment of metastatic disease.
- To underscore the need for improved prognostic capabilities in cancer patient management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing known metastasis suppressors and their roles in the metastatic cascade.
- Discussion of the principles and potential of liquid biopsy, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA).
- Analysis of the challenges and limitations of current prognostic methods, such as primary tumor biopsies.
Main Results:
- Metastasis involves a complex cascade of events, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune evasion.
- Metastasis suppressors are key regulators that inhibit cancer cell colonization at distant sites.
- Liquid biopsies show promise for capturing the heterogeneity of primary tumors and metastases through analysis of CTCs and cfDNA.
Conclusions:
- Metastasis suppressors are critical regulators of cancer cell dissemination and colonization.
- Liquid biopsies offer a minimally invasive approach to obtain a global snapshot of a patient's cancer, aiding in personalized treatment strategies.
- Further research into metastasis suppressors and liquid biopsy technologies is essential for improving cancer patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.3K
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...
6.3K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
2.6K
2.6K
02:30Metastasis
5.4K
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...
5.4K
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
6.3K
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.3K
01:22MicroRNAs
3.0K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K
01:22MicroRNAs
20.9K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
20.9K