Abstract
The metastatic cascade describes the process whereby aggressive cancer cells leave the primary tumor, travel through the bloodstream, and eventually reach distant organs to develop one or several metastases. During the last decade, innovative technologies have exploited the recent biological knowledge to identify new circulating biomarkers for the screening and early detection of cancer, real-time monitoring of treatment response, assessment of tumor relapse risk (prognosis), identification of new therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms, patient stratification, and therapeutic decision-making. These techniques are broadly described using the term of Liquid Biopsy. This field is in constant progression and is based on the detection of circulating tumor cells, circulating free nucleic acids (e.g., circulating tumor DNA), circulating tumor-derived extracellular vesicles, and tumor-educated platelets. The aim of this review is to describe the biological principles underlying the liquid biopsy concept and to discuss how functional studies can expand the clinical applications of these circulating biomarkers.
Highlights
In 1889, Stephen Paget proposed on the basis of postmortem data that cancer cells migrate to specific organs and that this could not be explained by chance or by the blood vessel distribution
The purpose of this review is to describe the metastatic steps with particular emphasis on the involvement of the analytes that can be tested by liquid biopsy
We highlighted the role of different liquid biopsy analytes to understand the biology of the metastatic cascade (Figure 2)
Summary
In 1889, Stephen Paget proposed on the basis of postmortem data that cancer cells migrate to specific organs and that this could not be explained by chance or by the blood vessel distribution. He proposed that metastatic colonization could be achieved in the presence of a compatible and reciprocal communication between tumor cells and the organ milieu. To explain the process of cancer dissemination, Fidler et al [2] proposed a model named the “metastatic cascade” based on experiments showing that the metastatic success of a cancer cell is minimal [3] This model recapitulates the progression of cancer cells and their spreading in the body through a series of organized steps. Failure to complete any of them stops the formation of a secondary cancerous lesion [4, 5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
