Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Author Spotlight: A Model to Study the Systemic and Local Dynamics of CD8+ T Cells During LN Metastasis
Published on: January 26, 2024
The pro-tumorigenic responses in metastatic niches: an immunological perspective
Mohammad Hossein Mirzapour1,2, Mahsa Heidari-Foroozan2,3, Sepideh Razi2,4,5
1School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract:
Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality related to cancer. In the course of metastasis, cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, enter the circulation, extravasate at secondary sites, and colonize there. All of these steps are rate limiting and decrease the efficiency of metastasis. Prior to their arrival, tumor cells can modify the secondary sites. These favorable microenvironments increase the probability of successful dissemination and are referred to as pre-metastatic niches. Cancer cells use different mechanisms to induce and maintain these niches, among which immune cells play prominent roles. The immune system, including innate and adaptive, enhances recruitment, extravasation, and colonization of tumor cells at distant sites. In addition to immune cells, stromal cells can also contribute to forming pre-metastatic niches. This review summarizes the pro-metastatic responses conducted by immune cells and the assistance of stromal cells and endothelial cells in the induction of pre-metastatic niches.
Insights
Cancer cells create pre-metastatic niches by altering secondary sites, often involving immune cells. This review details how immune and stromal cells promote cancer metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Metastasis, the spread of cancer, is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths.
- Cancer cell dissemination involves detachment, circulation, extravasation, and colonization.
- Tumor cells can pre-condition distant sites, forming pre-metastatic niches that enhance metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which cancer cells induce and maintain pre-metastatic niches.
- To highlight the significant roles of immune cells in facilitating metastasis.
- To explore the contributions of stromal and endothelial cells in niche formation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pre-metastatic niche formation.
- Analysis of the roles of innate and adaptive immune cells in metastasis.
- Examination of stromal and endothelial cell involvement in supporting tumor cell dissemination.
Main Results:
- Immune cells (innate and adaptive) are crucial for enhancing tumor cell recruitment, extravasation, and colonization.
- Stromal cells and endothelial cells actively assist in the development of pre-metastatic niches.
- Pre-metastatic niche formation significantly increases the probability of successful cancer cell dissemination.
Conclusions:
- Pre-metastatic niche formation is a critical step in cancer metastasis.
- Immune cells play a central role in orchestrating the pre-metastatic microenvironment.
- Targeting immune and stromal cell interactions may offer therapeutic strategies to inhibit metastasis.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:30Metastasis
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...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...