Site-specific metastasis: A cooperation between cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment

Abstract

The conclusion derived from the information provided in this review is that disseminating tumor cells (DTC) collaborate with the microenvironment of a future metastatic organ site in the establishment of organ-specific metastasis. We review the basic principles of site-specific metastasis and the contribution of the cross talk between DTC and the microenvironment of metastatic sites (metastatic microenvironment [MME]) to the establishment of the organ-specific premetastatic niche; the targeted migration of DTC to the endothelium of the future organ-specific metastasis; the transmigration of DTC to this site and the seeding and colonization of DTC in their future MME. We also discuss the role played by DTC-MME interactions on tumor dormancy and on the differential response of tumor cells residing in different MMEs to antitumor therapy. Finally, we summarize some studies dealing with the effects of the MME on a unique site-specific metastasis-brain metastasis.

Keywords: brain metastasis; cancer; metastatic microenvironment; site-specific metastasis.