Tumor dormancy and metastasis.

摘要: Metastasis--the spread of cancer to distant organs--is responsible for most deaths. Current adjuvant therapy is based on prognostic indicators that stratify patients into defined risk groups. However, some believed have a good prognosis nonetheless develop metastases, in cases many years after apparently successful treatment their primary cancer. This period clinical dormancy leads questions about how best manage patients, including better assign late recurrence, long monitor and whether will benefit from extended prevent recurrences. The development targeted therapies with fewer side effects leading trials aimed at determining the effectiveness such long-term therapy. much remains be learned tumor dormancy. Experimental studies are shedding light biological molecular mechanisms potentially Emerging research initiating cells, immunotherapy, metastasis suppressor genes, may lead new approaches antimetastatic prolong An improved understanding needed management late-developing metastases.