Rethinking immune states in brain metastasis
1Department of Molecular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Cancer Cell
|April 24, 2026
Abstract
None:
In this issue of Cancer Cell, Jassowicz et al. integrate multimodal profiling of 156 breast cancer brain metastases (BCBMs), challenging the prevailing perception that BCBMs are uniformly immune cold. The study reveals two distinct immune niches of prognostically favorable BCBMs, suggesting potential clinical biomarkers and two routes to antitumor immunity.
Related Concept Videos
00:49The Blood-brain Barrier
47.2K
Overview
47.2K
02:30Metastasis
5.4K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
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...
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...
5.4K
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
12
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial...
12
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
10
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
10