The KISS1 metastasis suppressor: a good night kiss for disseminated cancer cells

Abstract

Re-expression of KISS1 in tumor cell lines allows all antecedent steps of metastasis, but prevents colonization of secondary sites. Because tumor cells have already disseminated by the time of cancer diagnosis, KISS1 may represent a new opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, numerous clinical reports demonstrate that a loss or reduction of KISS1 expression in different human cancers inversely correlates with tumor progression, metastasis, and survival. Taken together, these observations compel the hypothesis that KISS1 could be of tremendous utility in controlling metastasis in a therapeutic context. In this review, we highlight some key findings from preclinical and clinical studies and discuss strategies whereby KISS1 may be exploited clinically to treat metastases.