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Modeling Brain Metastasis by Internal Carotid Artery Injection of Cancer Cells
Published on: August 2, 2022
Advances in mechanisms and treatments of brain metastases
Weijian Zhou1, Ziwei Zhang1, Jiayan Wang2
1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
Statistics indicate that brain metastases occur in nearly 30% of patients with solid tumors, with lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma being the three most common primary sources. Brain metastasis is characterized by the co-evolution of tumor cells co-evolve with the brain microenvironment, inducing changes in the phenotype of brain stromal cells that facilitate the colonization, survival, and growth of tumors. The prognosis for brain metastases remains poor, with 2-year and 5-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with brain metastases of 8.1% and 2.4%, respectively. Notably, more than half of brain metastases patients die from neurological diseases. Current treatment options for brain metastases include radiotherapy, neurosurgery, systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which are often used in combination to improve therapeutic outcomes. In recent years, the use of nanomaterials for brain metastases treatments has been progressively developed to enhance the efficiency and precision of drug delivery. In the future, with a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain metastases and further development of treatment strategies, patient outcomes are expected to improve. This review, summarizes the current understanding of brain metastasis mechanisms and therapeutic approaches, and outlines an outlook on future research directions in the field.
Insights
Brain metastases affect nearly 30% of solid tumor patients, with poor prognoses. New research explores nanomaterial-enhanced treatments to improve outcomes for brain tumor metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Brain metastases occur in nearly 30% of patients with solid tumors, primarily lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.
- Tumor cells co-evolve with the brain microenvironment, promoting tumor colonization, survival, and growth.
- Prognosis for brain metastases is poor, with low survival rates and high mortality from neurological complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current understanding of brain metastasis mechanisms.
- To review existing and emerging therapeutic approaches for brain metastases.
- To outline future research directions in the field of brain metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on brain metastasis.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on brain metastasis incidence and outcomes.
- Synthesis of information on conventional and novel treatment strategies, including nanomedicine.
Main Results:
- Brain metastasis is a significant clinical challenge with a dismal prognosis.
- Current treatments include radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, often in combination.
- Nanomaterials are emerging as a promising strategy to enhance drug delivery for brain metastases.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of brain metastasis mechanisms is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Further development of targeted therapies and nanomedicine holds promise for future treatment strategies.
- Continued research is essential to improve survival rates and neurological health in brain metastasis patients.
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