Cancer Cell
Volume 30, Issue 5, 14 November 2016, Pages 668-681
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Perspective
Characteristics and Significance of the Pre-metastatic Niche

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2016.09.011Get rights and content
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Primary tumors create a favorable microenvironment, namely, pre-metastatic niche, in secondary organs and tissue sites for subsequent metastases. The pre-metastatic niche can be primed and established through a complex interplay among primary tumor-derived factors, tumor-mobilized bone marrow-derived cells, and local stromal components. We review here our current understanding of the key components and underlying mechanisms for pre-metastatic niche formation. We propose six characteristics that define the pre-metastatic niche, which enable tumor cell colonization and promote metastasis, including immunosuppression, inflammation, angiogenesis/vascular permeability, lymphangiogenesis, organotropism, and reprogramming. We highlight the significance of the pre-metastatic niche, and discuss potential implications and future research directions.

Keywords

metastasis
pre-metastatic niche
tumor-host interaction
immunosuppression
inflammation
cancer intervention

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