Progression and metastasis of lung cancer

Abstract

Metastasis in lung cancer is a multifaceted process. In this review, we will dissect the process in several isolated steps such as angiogenesis, hypoxia, circulation, and establishment of a metastatic focus. In reality, several of these processes overlap and occur even simultaneously, but such a presentation would be unreadable. Metastasis requires cell migration toward higher oxygen tension, which is based on changing the structure of the cell (epithelial-mesenchymal transition), orientation within the stroma and stroma interaction, and communication with the immune system to avoid attack. Once in the blood stream, cells have to survive trapping by the coagulation system, to survive shear stress in small blood vessels, and to find the right location for extravasation. Once outside in the metastatic locus, tumor cells have to learn the communication with the “foreign” stroma cells to establish vascular supply and again express molecules, which induce immune tolerance.

Tumor-infiltrating CD45RO+ memory cells correlate with favorable prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

“…Tumor-infiltrating CD45RO + memory cells correlate with favorable prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed cases are inoperable because of metastasis or present poor prognosis after surgery (4). Therefore, additional novel and convincing biological markers, which are helpful to indicate the diagnosis and prognosis for lung cancer, are urgently needed.…”

Characterization of the Role of MicroRNAs in Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells

“…In recent years, although radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery have been shown to effectively remove or reduce tumors, the ability to cure malignant tumors and prevent tumor metastasis and recurrence has been limited [3][4][5]. Studies have shown that the development of hepatocellular carcinoma may be related to HCSCs, which have the CSC characteristics of self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation, increasing the difficulty of liver cancer treatment [6][7][8].…”

Circulating Tumor Cells in the Parallel Invasion Model Supporting Early Metastasis

“…[73] Furthermore, cancer of unknown primary site accounts for 5-10% of diagnoses in Europe and the United States. [74] This is in line with early migration of carcinoma cells from the initial lesion and onset of metastasis early in the tumor development.…”

“…[23] Whereas metastasis via the lymphatic route usually takes longer until distant metastases are set, spreading via blood vessels rapidly induces distant metastases. [73] Although it is stated that tumors release millions of cells per day, this estimation is based on a single experimental animal model which is no realistic representation of a human lesion. [47] Furthermore, the threshold of a poorer prognosis for colon, breast and prostate cancer patients with 3-5 CTCs/7.5 ml blood by the CellSearch© system point to a limited shedding of cells from such tumors.…”