Interaction of tumor cells and immune system in the metastatic process

The metastatic process is rather complicated and relatively inefficient. Millions of tumor cells are constantly shedding from the primary tumor into the blood stream, but very few of them are able to form metastatic tumors in the different organs or tissues of the host. It is widely accepted that metastatic cells have to possess a complex array of various properties that allow them to complete the metastatic cascade. The realization of the metastatic potential largely depends on the ability of tumor cells to evade host defense mechanisms. The potential role of specific and nonspecific immune mechanisms in the control of metastatic spread and growth is the subject of the present review. A better understanding of the mechanisms of antimetastatic defense is of prime importance for development of efficient immunotherapeutic methods for the treatment and eradication of disseminated tumor metastases.