What is the term for the migration of malignant cells to distant tissues and organs?

Metastasis, a major determinant of cancer fatality, is a complex, multistep and multifactorial process which often allows the dissemination of cancer cells from a primary tumor to distant tissues and organs leading to the establishment of secondary tumors. The metastatic process is first facilitated by cellular proliferation within primary lesions which results in tumor invasion through adjacent epithelium and basement membranes. This initial phase ultimately allows cells that detach from the primary tumor to migrate to nearby tissues or into blood and lymphatic vessels to reach secondary tissues where they may adhere and grow.


Metastasis Cascade and Mechanisms of Suppression

What is the term for the migration of malignant cells to distant tissues and organs?

Metastasis suppressors prevent the establishment of cancer growth in secondary tissues without affecting growth of primary tumors. Molecules halting metastatic growth may act via a broad range of mechanisms including effects on cell adhesion properties, signaling pathways important for cell motility and survival, and transcription of genes with pro-metastatic potential.

Explore Tumor Angiogenesis

The ability of primary tumor cells to become invasive is partly determined by the intrinsic expression and function of metastasis promoters and suppressors. The genetic basis of metastasis has been a key focus of cancer research leading to the identification of over 30 metastasis suppressors which are defined by their ability to prevent cancer spread without affecting primary tumor growth. However, extrinsic factors such as the tumor microenvironment have increasingly gained attention due to the crucial role of stromal cells and derived factors in the establishment of secondary tumors. Metastatic potential is not only influenced by the primary tumor’s microenvironment, but is also dependent on the cells and factors present at secondary targeted tissues.


Validated Metastasis Suppressors


Primary Tumor Site

Metastasis Suppressor

Main Secondary Tumor Site*

Breast

BRMS1, Kai-1, KISS1, KLF17, NDRG1, Nm23, MKK4

bone, brain, liver, lung, regional lymph nodes

Colon

Kai-1, RECK, RKIP/PBP

liver, lung, peritoneum

Lung

BRMS1, Nm23

adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, lung

Melanoma

BRMS1, GAS1, Gelsolin, Kai-1, KISS1

bone, brain, liver, lung, skin, muscle, lymph nodes

Pancreas

NDRG1, KISS1, MKK4

liver, lung, peritoneum

Prostate

Kai-1, MKK4, NDRG1

adrenal gland, bone, liver, lung

*https://www.cancer.gov/types/metastatic-cancer


What is the term for the migration of malignant cells to distant tissues and organs?
    
What is the term for the migration of malignant cells to distant tissues and organs?

Western blot shows lysates of A431 human epithelial carcinoma cell line, HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, and K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line. PVDF Membrane was probed with 0.5 µg/mL of Mouse Anti-Human NM23-H1 Monoclonal Antibody (Catalog # MAB6256) followed by HRP-conjugated Anti-Mouse IgG Secondary Antibody (Catalog # HAF007). For additional reference, recombinant human NM23-H1 and recombinant human NM23-H2 (10 ng/lane) were included. A specific band was detected for NM23-H1 at approximately 20 kDa (as indicated). This experiment was conducted under reducing conditions and using Immunoblot Buffer Group 2.

   

Western blot shows lysates of SK-Mel-28 human malignant melanoma cell line, MEF mouse embryonic feeder cells, and NR8383 rat alveolar macrophage cell line. PVDF membrane was probed with 0.5 µg/mL of Mouse Anti-Human/Mouse/Rat Gelsolin/GSN Monoclonal Antibody (Catalog # MAB8170) followed by HRP-conjugated Anti-Mouse IgG Secondary Antibody (Catalog # HAF018). A specific band was detected for Gelsolin/GSN at approximately 95 kDa (as indicated). This experiment was conducted under reducing conditions and using Immunoblot Buffer Group 1.

Find all Metastasis Products

Brew, K., & Nagase, H. (2010). The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs): An ancient family with structural and functional diversity. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2010.01.003

Budczies, J., von Winterfeld, M., Klauschen, F., Bockmayr, M., Lennerz, J. K., Denkert, C., … Stenzinger, A. (2015). The landscape of metastatic progression patterns across major human cancers. Oncotarget. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.2677

Chen, L.L., Blumm, N., Christakis, N.A., Barabási, A.L., Deisboeck, T.S. (2009). Cancer metastasis networks and the prediction of progression patterns. Br J Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6605214

Cook, L.M., Hurst, D.R., Welch, D.R. (2010). Metastasis suppressors and the tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2010.12.005

Guan, X. (2015). Cancer metastases: challenges and opportunities. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2015.07.005

Hunter, K.W., Crawford, N.P., Alsarraj, J. (2008). Mechanisms of metastasis. Breast Cancer Res. https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr1988

Hurst, D. R., & Welch, D. R. (2011). Metastasis suppressor genes. At the interface between the environment and tumor cell growth. International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-385859-7.00003-3

Yan, J., Yang, Q., Huang, Q. (2013). Metastasis suppressor genes. Histol Histopathol. https://doi.org/10.14670/HH-28.285

Yokota, J. (2000). Tumor progression and metastasis. Carcinogenesis. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/21.3.497

What is the migration of cancer cells called?

In metastasis, cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system, and form a new tumor in other organs or tissues of the body. The new, metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor.

What do you call the process of malignant transformation?

Malignant transformation is the term given to the process whereby either normal, metaplastic, or benign neoplastic tissue, becomes a cancer. The process usually occurs in a series of steps and the affected tissue gradually accumulates the genetic mutations that express a malignant phenotype.

What does the term metastasized mean?

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 07/2022. Metastasis means that cancer has spread to a different part of your body part than where it started. When this happens, doctors say the cancer has “metastasized.”

What is meant by distant metastasis?

(DIS-tunt meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes. Also called distant cancer.