Circadian-driven transcriptional programs govern metastatic progression

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Chronobiology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Circadian rhythms govern 24-hour physiological processes.
• Circadian disruption is linked to increased cancer risk and progression.
• The circadian clock influences the tumor microenvironment (TME) and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review mechanisms of circadian regulation within the TME during metastasis.
• To explore how circadian disruption impacts TME components and metastatic efficiency.
• To identify chronotherapeutic targets for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing emerging mechanisms.
• Analysis of data integrating single-cell RNA-seq and intravital imaging.
• Dissection of how circadian perturbations alter TME networks and responses.

Main Results:

• Circadian rhythms regulate ECM dynamics, stromal crosstalk, and immune cell extravasation.
• Circadian disruption alters cytokine networks, hypoxia responses, and metabolic symbiosis in the TME.
• Emerging data reveal molecular mechanisms underlying circadian control of TME components.

Conclusions:

• Circadian clock spatiotemporal control is critical for metastatic efficiency.
• Chronotherapeutic strategies targeting metastasis timing show promise.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate molecular mechanisms for novel cancer therapies.