Understanding pre-metastatic niche formation: implications for colorectal cancer liver metastasis

Yaqin Li ^1,2, Hong Wang ^1,2, Dengxuan Mao ^1,2

¹Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China.
²Multi-Component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and MicroecologyResearch Center, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China.
³Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. chenyan@jsatcm.com.
⁴Multi-Component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and MicroecologyResearch Center, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. chenyan@jsatcm.com.
⁵Jiangsu Clinical Innovation Center of Digestive Cancer of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China. chenyan@jsatcm.com.
⁶Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. liuyuping@jsatcm.com.
⁷Multi-Component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and MicroecologyResearch Center, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. liuyuping@jsatcm.com.
⁸Jiangsu Clinical Innovation Center of Digestive Cancer of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China. liuyuping@jsatcm.com.

⁰Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China.

Journal of Translational Medicine +

|

March 18, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells create pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) to facilitate liver metastasis. Understanding PMN formation is key to developing new treatments for metastatic CRC.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Cancer Biology
Gastroenterology

Background

The liver is a frequent site for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related death.
Tumor cells establish pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) that prepare distant sites for cancer cell colonization before arrival.

Purpose Of The Study

To review the mechanisms driving pre-metastatic niche formation in colorectal cancer.
To explore diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting PMNs in metastatic CRC.

Main Methods

Literature review of studies on pre-metastatic niche formation in CRC.
Analysis of research methods, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches related to PMNs.

Main Results

PMN formation involves complex interactions including gut microbiota, stem cell activation, immune cell dynamics, and extracellular vesicle signaling.
PMNs create a microenvironment conducive to tumor cell survival and proliferation at metastatic sites.

Conclusions

Pre-metastatic niche formation is a critical determinant of colorectal cancer metastasis, particularly to the liver.
Targeting PMN-related processes offers promising avenues for novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in metastatic CRC.

Keywords:

Colorectal cancer Liver metastasis Pre-metastatic niche

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