Complex metastatic niches: already a target for therapy?

摘要: Metastatic spread is an inefficient process which requires generation of supportive microenvironments in cancer cells can survive, proliferate and escape from immune attack. These niches are induced by systemic locally produced factors establish a tumor-supportive suppressive environment molecularly functionally different the niche at primary site. Tumor dormancy may result if not sufficiently supportive/protective. Co-evolution surrounding microenvironment creates large number such dynamic niches, we just beginning to elucidate complexity these interactions their tissue-specific differences. We will discuss exciting possibilities but also challenges immanent when trying target stromal responses for diagnosis therapy.