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Monitoring Breast Cancer Growth and Metastatic Colony Formation in Mice using Bioluminescence
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Integrated molecular and clinical staging defines the spectrum of metastatic cancer

Sean P Pitroda1,2, Ralph R Weichselbaum3,4

  • 1Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology
|May 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Eliminating cancer metastases is difficult. This study proposes classifying metastases by their biological virulence to improve cancer staging and treatment, moving beyond the idea of widespread disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Metastasis Research

Background:

  • Eliminating metastases is a significant challenge in curative cancer treatment.
  • Systemic therapies for metastatic cancer prolong survival but rarely offer cures.
  • The traditional view of metastasis as a disseminated process is being challenged.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present evidence supporting a new hypothesis on cancer metastasis.
  • To propose an integrated approach for classifying metastases.
  • To demonstrate how metastasis classification influences cancer staging and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing evidence on metastasis.
  • Development of a hypothesis integrating clinical and molecular data.
  • Analysis of the spectrum of biological virulence in metastatic lesions.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports the hypothesis that metastases exist on a spectrum of biological virulence.
  • Integrated classification of metastases can refine understanding of metastatic disease.
  • This approach offers a new perspective on cancer staging.

Conclusions:

  • The oligometastatic paradigm offers a more nuanced view of cancer spread.
  • Integrated clinical and molecular classification of metastases is crucial.
  • This approach has the potential to significantly influence cancer treatment strategies.

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