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Metastasis as a Multiorgan Disease: Toward Organ-Informed Precision Oncology
Anish Thomas1, Chirayu Mohindroo1, Yue Huang1
1Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
Cancer Discovery
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Cancer cells change significantly when they spread to new organs. An organ-informed approach to precision oncology can improve cancer treatment by considering these changes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Metastasis is a complex, multiorgan process.
- Disseminated cancer cells undergo significant reprogramming.
- This reprogramming impacts cancer cell identity and vulnerabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an organ-informed precision oncology framework.
- To integrate site-specific cancer cell reprogramming into treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cancer cell reprogramming during metastasis.
- Review of current precision oncology approaches.
Main Results:
- Cancer cell reprogramming is tissue-specific.
- Site-imposed programs influence therapeutic responses.
Conclusions:
- An organ-informed framework is crucial for effective precision oncology.
- Integrating site-specific adaptations can enhance treatment design for metastatic cancer.
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