Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions
Abstract The metastatic cascade is a complicated process where cancer cells travel across multiple organs distant from their primary site of onset. Despite the wide acceptance of the ‘seed and soil’ theory, mechanisms driving metastasis organotropism remain mystery. Using breast cancer of different...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Molecular Biomedicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00261-y |
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| author | Xiaofeng Dai Ming Xi Jitian Li |
| author_facet | Xiaofeng Dai Ming Xi Jitian Li |
| author_sort | Xiaofeng Dai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The metastatic cascade is a complicated process where cancer cells travel across multiple organs distant from their primary site of onset. Despite the wide acceptance of the ‘seed and soil’ theory, mechanisms driving metastasis organotropism remain mystery. Using breast cancer of different subtypes as the disease model, we characterized the ‘metastatic profile of cancer cells’ and the ‘redox status of the organ microenvironment’ as the primary determinants of cancer metastasis organotropism. Mechanically, we identified a positive correlation between cancer metabolic plasticity and stemness, and proposed oxidative stress as the selection power of cancer cells succeeding the metastasis cascade. Therapeutically, we proposed the use of pro-oxidative therapeutics in ablating cancer cells taking advantages of this fragile moment during metastasis. We comprehensively reviewed current pro-oxidative strategies for treating cancers that cover the first line chemo- and radio-therapies, approaches relying on naturally existing power including magnetic field, electric field, light and sound, nanoparticle-based anti-cancer composites obtained through artificial design, as well as cold atmospheric plasma as an innovative pro-oxidative multi-modal modality. We discussed possible combinations of pro-oxidative approaches with existing therapeutics in oncology prior to the forecast of future research directions. This paper identified the fundamental mechanics driving metastasis organotropism and proposed intervention strategies accordingly. Insights provided here may offer clues for the design of innovative solutions that may open a new paradigm for cancer treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-66100d387fa84a09b3da8dba96d4feea |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-8651 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Biomedicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-66100d387fa84a09b3da8dba96d4feea2025-08-20T02:11:58ZengSpringerMolecular Biomedicine2662-86512025-04-016113010.1186/s43556-025-00261-yCancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventionsXiaofeng Dai0Ming Xi1Jitian Li2National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityNational Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityMolecular Biology Lab, Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital)Abstract The metastatic cascade is a complicated process where cancer cells travel across multiple organs distant from their primary site of onset. Despite the wide acceptance of the ‘seed and soil’ theory, mechanisms driving metastasis organotropism remain mystery. Using breast cancer of different subtypes as the disease model, we characterized the ‘metastatic profile of cancer cells’ and the ‘redox status of the organ microenvironment’ as the primary determinants of cancer metastasis organotropism. Mechanically, we identified a positive correlation between cancer metabolic plasticity and stemness, and proposed oxidative stress as the selection power of cancer cells succeeding the metastasis cascade. Therapeutically, we proposed the use of pro-oxidative therapeutics in ablating cancer cells taking advantages of this fragile moment during metastasis. We comprehensively reviewed current pro-oxidative strategies for treating cancers that cover the first line chemo- and radio-therapies, approaches relying on naturally existing power including magnetic field, electric field, light and sound, nanoparticle-based anti-cancer composites obtained through artificial design, as well as cold atmospheric plasma as an innovative pro-oxidative multi-modal modality. We discussed possible combinations of pro-oxidative approaches with existing therapeutics in oncology prior to the forecast of future research directions. This paper identified the fundamental mechanics driving metastasis organotropism and proposed intervention strategies accordingly. Insights provided here may offer clues for the design of innovative solutions that may open a new paradigm for cancer treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00261-yCancerMetastasis organotropismOnco-therapeuticsOxidative stressMetabolismCold atmospheric plasma |
| spellingShingle | Xiaofeng Dai Ming Xi Jitian Li Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions Molecular Biomedicine Cancer Metastasis organotropism Onco-therapeutics Oxidative stress Metabolism Cold atmospheric plasma |
| title | Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions |
| title_full | Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions |
| title_fullStr | Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions |
| title_short | Cancer metastasis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions |
| title_sort | cancer metastasis molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions |
| topic | Cancer Metastasis organotropism Onco-therapeutics Oxidative stress Metabolism Cold atmospheric plasma |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00261-y |
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