The central nervous system is the location of metastases in more than 40% of patients with lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma. These metastases are associated with one of the poorest prognoses in advanced cancer patients, mainly due to the lack of effective treatments. In this review, we explore the involvement of cytokines, including interleukins and chemokines, during the development of brain and leptomeningeal metastases from the epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition and blood-brain barrier extravasation to the interaction between cancer cells and cells from the brain microenvironment, including astrocytes and microglia. Furthermore, the role of the gut-brain axis on cytokine release during this process will also be addressed.
Keywords: brain metastases; leptomeningeal metastases; microenvironment; microglia and cytokines; reactive astrocytes.