About this Research Topic
Primary tumors are seldom responsible for cancer-associated mortality as most cancer patients die from metastasis. Metastasis is a complex multi-step process in which cancer cells dissociate from the primary tumor, invade adjacent tissues, and are transported through the circulation or the lymphatic system to distant organs where they establish a new metastatic colony by interacting with the host microenvironment. Thus, extracellular matrix, adhesion molecules and the cytoskeleton are thought to play a fundamental role in the initiation, development, dissemination and outgrowth of metastatic tumors. Although a significant amount of research has been performed in relation to cancer and metastasis, there are still questions to be answered and issues to be addressed that will enhance our understanding of the metastatic process and facilitate the development of novel metastasis biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
In that regard and due to the complex nature of the metastatic process, it has been increasingly evident that a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate and treat metastasis is crucial.
In this Research Topic, we welcome authors to contribute original research and review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell metastasis as well as identify novel biomarkers or develop novel therapeutic interventions. We are interested in articles that explore aspects of cancer cell metastasis from various primary sites to specific organs using both in vitro and in vivo approaches.
Potential topics include but are not limited to:
• Recent developments related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
• Role of integrin, extracellular matrix (ECM)-related adhesion proteins and actin cytoskeleton in cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis.
• Role of the tumor microenvironment in metastasis
• Molecular mechanisms by which immune cells mediate tumor metastasis
• Organ-specific tropism
• Organ-specific immune responses and their function in determining the permissiveness of an organ to metastasis
• Elucidation of signaling mechanisms implicated in metastasis
• Role fundamental and novel apoptotic modulators in metastasis
• Advances in biomarker’s development
• Latest methods and advanced technologies in monitoring cancer cell metastasis in vitro
• Updates on animal models used to study metastasis
• Latest technologies in biopsy sampling, and metastasis detection and diagnosis
In that regard and due to the complex nature of the metastatic process, it has been increasingly evident that a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate and treat metastasis is crucial.
In this Research Topic, we welcome authors to contribute original research and review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell metastasis as well as identify novel biomarkers or develop novel therapeutic interventions. We are interested in articles that explore aspects of cancer cell metastasis from various primary sites to specific organs using both in vitro and in vivo approaches.
Potential topics include but are not limited to:
• Recent developments related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
• Role of integrin, extracellular matrix (ECM)-related adhesion proteins and actin cytoskeleton in cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis.
• Role of the tumor microenvironment in metastasis
• Molecular mechanisms by which immune cells mediate tumor metastasis
• Organ-specific tropism
• Organ-specific immune responses and their function in determining the permissiveness of an organ to metastasis
• Elucidation of signaling mechanisms implicated in metastasis
• Role fundamental and novel apoptotic modulators in metastasis
• Advances in biomarker’s development
• Latest methods and advanced technologies in monitoring cancer cell metastasis in vitro
• Updates on animal models used to study metastasis
• Latest technologies in biopsy sampling, and metastasis detection and diagnosis
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
