Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death

Abstract Metastatic disease accounts for approximately 80% of cancer-related deaths, typically manifesting as single-organ failure mainly through abdominal, cardiovascular, neurological, or respiratory complications. Despite treating thousands of cancer patients daily worldwide, our understanding of...

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Main Authors: D. Sparrer, R. Blazquez, F. Keil, S. Einhell, F. Lüke, S. Uderhardt, C. Gerner, C.H.R. Wendl, M. Proescholdt, C. Schulz, A. Kandulski, S. Haferkamp, H.J. Schlitt, T. Bäuerle, K. Franze, R. Mayr, M. Rechenmacher, P. Hau, D. Hirsch, D. Heudobler, K. Evert, T. Pukrop
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Molecular Cancer
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02389-5
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author D. Sparrer
R. Blazquez
F. Keil
S. Einhell
F. Lüke
S. Uderhardt
C. Gerner
C.H.R. Wendl
M. Proescholdt
C. Schulz
A. Kandulski
S. Haferkamp
H.J. Schlitt
T. Bäuerle
K. Franze
R. Mayr
M. Rechenmacher
P. Hau
D. Hirsch
D. Heudobler
K. Evert
T. Pukrop
author_facet D. Sparrer
R. Blazquez
F. Keil
S. Einhell
F. Lüke
S. Uderhardt
C. Gerner
C.H.R. Wendl
M. Proescholdt
C. Schulz
A. Kandulski
S. Haferkamp
H.J. Schlitt
T. Bäuerle
K. Franze
R. Mayr
M. Rechenmacher
P. Hau
D. Hirsch
D. Heudobler
K. Evert
T. Pukrop
author_sort D. Sparrer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Metastatic disease accounts for approximately 80% of cancer-related deaths, typically manifesting as single-organ failure mainly through abdominal, cardiovascular, neurological, or respiratory complications. Despite treating thousands of cancer patients daily worldwide, our understanding of organ-specific metastatic dissemination routes, tissue destruction mechanisms and reasons for organ failures remains limited. As cancer-directed therapies advance, maintaining organ function has emerged as a critical therapeutic goal of care. To develop more effective treatment strategies, a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology is essential, particularly regarding secondary and subsequent metastatic waves that lead to extensive macro-metastases and organ failure. Critical distinction between primary metastatic spread and secondary intra-organ dissemination is crucial. In the era of precision oncology, elucidating organ-specific destruction processes and the pathophysiology of metastatic waves is fundamental for advancing patient care. To highlight the emerging goal of care of maintaining organ function, we aligned the metastatic biology, clinical stages, goals of care and therapeutic indications: the Bio Therapeutic Goals of Cancer Care Model.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1476-4598
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
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series Molecular Cancer
spelling doaj-art-0cc4ce3a7e5f472caf7c165903e857d92025-08-20T03:42:20ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982025-07-0124112010.1186/s12943-025-02389-5Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related deathD. Sparrer0R. Blazquez1F. Keil2S. Einhell3F. Lüke4S. Uderhardt5C. Gerner6C.H.R. Wendl7M. Proescholdt8C. Schulz9A. Kandulski10S. Haferkamp11H.J. Schlitt12T. Bäuerle13K. Franze14R. Mayr15M. Rechenmacher16P. Hau17D. Hirsch18D. Heudobler19K. Evert20T. Pukrop21Center for Translational Oncology, University Hospital RegensburgDepartment of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RegensburgInstitute of Pathology, University of RegensburgDepartment of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RegensburgCenter for Translational Oncology, University Hospital RegensburgDepartment of Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of ViennaInstitute of Radiology, University Hospital RegensburgDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital RegensburgBavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital RegensburgDepartment of Dermatology, University Hospital RegensburgBavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)Preclinical Imaging Platform Erlangen, Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergDepartment of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of CambridgeDepartment of Urology, Caritas St. Josef Hospital, University of RegensburgDepartment of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RegensburgDepartment of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander Neuro-Oncology Unit, University Hospital RegensburgInstitute of Pathology, University of RegensburgCenter for Translational Oncology, University Hospital RegensburgInstitute of Pathology, University of RegensburgCenter for Translational Oncology, University Hospital RegensburgAbstract Metastatic disease accounts for approximately 80% of cancer-related deaths, typically manifesting as single-organ failure mainly through abdominal, cardiovascular, neurological, or respiratory complications. Despite treating thousands of cancer patients daily worldwide, our understanding of organ-specific metastatic dissemination routes, tissue destruction mechanisms and reasons for organ failures remains limited. As cancer-directed therapies advance, maintaining organ function has emerged as a critical therapeutic goal of care. To develop more effective treatment strategies, a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology is essential, particularly regarding secondary and subsequent metastatic waves that lead to extensive macro-metastases and organ failure. Critical distinction between primary metastatic spread and secondary intra-organ dissemination is crucial. In the era of precision oncology, elucidating organ-specific destruction processes and the pathophysiology of metastatic waves is fundamental for advancing patient care. To highlight the emerging goal of care of maintaining organ function, we aligned the metastatic biology, clinical stages, goals of care and therapeutic indications: the Bio Therapeutic Goals of Cancer Care Model.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02389-5MetastasisMetastatic disseminationBio Therapeutic Goals of Cancer Care ModelPrimary disseminationSecondary disseminationCancer-directed therapy
spellingShingle D. Sparrer
R. Blazquez
F. Keil
S. Einhell
F. Lüke
S. Uderhardt
C. Gerner
C.H.R. Wendl
M. Proescholdt
C. Schulz
A. Kandulski
S. Haferkamp
H.J. Schlitt
T. Bäuerle
K. Franze
R. Mayr
M. Rechenmacher
P. Hau
D. Hirsch
D. Heudobler
K. Evert
T. Pukrop
Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death
Molecular Cancer
Metastasis
Metastatic dissemination
Bio Therapeutic Goals of Cancer Care Model
Primary dissemination
Secondary dissemination
Cancer-directed therapy
title Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death
title_full Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death
title_fullStr Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death
title_full_unstemmed Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death
title_short Primary and secondary metastatic dissemination: multiple routes to cancer-related death
title_sort primary and secondary metastatic dissemination multiple routes to cancer related death
topic Metastasis
Metastatic dissemination
Bio Therapeutic Goals of Cancer Care Model
Primary dissemination
Secondary dissemination
Cancer-directed therapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02389-5
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