Mechanisms of small cell lung cancer metastasis

Abstract

Metastasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the ability of cancer cells to metastasize remain relatively poorly understood. Among all solid tumors, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has remarkable metastatic proclivity, with a majority of patients diagnosed with metastatic disease. Our understanding of SCLC metastasis has been hampered for many years by the paucity of material from primary tumors and metastases, as well as the lack of faithful pre-clinical models. Here, we review recent advances that are helping circumvent these limitations. These advances include methods that employ circulating tumor cells from the blood of SCLC patients and the development of diverse genetically engineered mouse models of metastatic SCLC. New insights into the cellular mechanisms of SCLC metastasis include observations of cell fate changes associated with increased metastatic ability. Ongoing studies on cell migration and organ tropism promise to expand our understanding of SCLC metastasis. Ultimately, a better molecular understanding of metastatic phenotypes may be translated into new therapeutic options to limit metastatic spread and treat metastatic SCLC.

Characterization of Metal-Bound Benzimidazole Derivatives, Effects on Tumor Cells of Lung Cancer

“…It ranks first in terms of the number of cases and mortality. One of the hallmarks of a malignant lung cancer is its ability to metastasize, which increases mortality among patients [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Benzimidazoles and their derivatives are widely used all over the world due to their biological activity [ 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”

The matrix-dependent 3D spheroid model of the migration of non-small cell lung cancer: a step towards a rapid automated screening

“…Hitherto, many cell-based models simulating attachment, migration and tissue-invasion of the cancer cells exist (Simeone et al, 2019;Rodrigues et al, 2020;Ko et al, 2021). The most physiologically and clinically relevant models are 3D cell culture models resembling architecture of the cluster of CTCs and incorporating some elements of the tumor microenvironment (Kunjithapatham et al, 2014;Caleb and Yong, 2020).…”

Neuronal mimicry generates an ecosystem critical for brain metastatic growth of SCLC

“…Brain metastases are particularly frequent in SCLC patients (Boire et al, 2020). Up to 15% of patients with SCLC have asymptomatic brain metastases at the time of the first diagnosis, and the incidence increases to 40-60% during the course of the disease (Ko et al, 2021; Megyesfalvi et al, 2021; Rusthoven et al, 2020). Brain metastases contribute so much to the morbidity and mortality of SCLC patients that prophylactic cranial irradiation protocols have been implemented, as even slowing the growth of brain metastases might lead to clinical benefit (Neal et al, 2011; Takahashi et al, 2017).…”