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Related Concept Videos

Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

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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
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Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
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The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

The Establishment of a Lung Colonization Assay for Circulating Tumor Cell Visualization in Lung Tissues
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The Establishment of a Lung Colonization Assay for Circulating Tumor Cell Visualization in Lung Tissues

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Metastatic colonization by circulating tumour cells.

Joan Massagué1, Anna C Obenauf1,2

  • 1Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, USA.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells, is a complex process involving many obstacles. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing better treatments against cancer metastasis.

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Lung Tumor Cell Recruitment Assay
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Micromanipulation of Circulating Tumor Cells for Downstream Molecular Analysis and Metastatic Potential Assessment
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Micromanipulation of Circulating Tumor Cells for Downstream Molecular Analysis and Metastatic Potential Assessment

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality.
  • Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) face numerous challenges during the metastatic cascade.
  • Current treatments often prove ineffective against established metastases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms underlying successful distant organ colonization by tumor cells.
  • To identify critical determinants of the metastatic process for therapeutic targeting.
  • To improve strategies for preventing and treating metastatic cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the sequential steps of metastasis, including tissue infiltration, immune evasion, niche adaptation, dormancy, and reactivation.
  • Analyzed the biological barriers encountered by circulating tumor cells.
  • Focused on understanding the inefficiencies inherent in the metastatic cascade.

Main Results:

  • Metastasis is a highly inefficient process with multiple critical checkpoints.
  • Successful colonization requires overcoming significant biological and immunological hurdles.
  • Tumor cell survival as latent seeds and subsequent outgrowth are key stages.

Conclusions:

  • A deeper mechanistic understanding of metastasis is essential for clinical advancement.
  • Targeting the specific obstacles faced by circulating tumor cells could disrupt metastasis.
  • Improved knowledge is vital for developing more effective therapies against metastatic disease.