Targeting Oncoimmune Drivers of Cancer Metastasis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Residual metastasis remains a primary cause of cancer mortality.
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) offer insights into metastasis but lack clinical translation.
• Tumor cell evolution, driven by host environment interactions, creates complexity and hinders effective cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the molecular and cellular links between tumor properties and host immunity.
• To focus on the roles of EMT and CSCs in cancer metastasis.
• To highlight therapeutic strategies targeting oncoimmune determinants for improved clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cancer metastasis, EMT, CSCs, and tumor-immune interactions.
• Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor progression and immune evasion.
• Identification of therapeutic targets within the tumor-immune microenvironment.

Main Results:

• EMT and CSCs are key drivers of cancer metastasis, contributing to tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion.
• Complex interactions between tumor cells and the host environment, including immune cells, promote metastasis.
• Targeting oncoimmune factors presents a promising strategy to overcome treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between tumor biology and immunity is essential for combating metastasis.
• Therapeutic strategies should address both tumor-intrinsic properties (EMT, CSCs) and the tumor-immune microenvironment.
• Developing practical clinical applications requires targeting key oncoimmune determinants to disrupt the metastatic cascade.