María Natalia Gandur Quiroga: Cancer-induced systemic pre-conditioning of distant organs

María Natalia Gandur Quiroga, Medical Oncologist and Chief of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Ángel H. Roffo Oncology Institute, shared a post on X:

“Cancer-induced systemic pre-conditioning of distant organs: building a niche for metastatic cells.

Tumor cells communicate with distant organs early, preparing them for metastasis by altering their environment. This process is known as pre-metastatic niche formation.

Cancer cells release mediators like exosomes, cytokines, and chemokines that remodel tissues, making them more conducive to the survival of disseminated cancer cells.

The bone marrow plays a crucial role in this process by producing abnormal immune cells, which support the establishment of metastatic niches in organs like the liver, lungs, and brain.

Immune suppression, changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), and stromal activation are key components of creating a favorable metastatic environment. Cancer-induced systemic conditioning resembles responses to injury, stress, or infection, suggesting that cancer hijacks these natural processes to support metastasis.

Prevention of metastasis could involve targeting the pathways that cancers use to pre-condition distant organs, such as blocking specific cancer-derived exosomes or reprogramming immune responses.

Conclusion: Understanding how primary tumors condition distant organs is essential to developing strategies that prevent metastasis. By targeting the mediators and processes involved, we may uncover new therapeutic opportunities to limit cancer spread and improve patient outcomes.”

Cancer-induced systemic pre-conditioning of distant organs: building a niche for metastatic cells

Authors: Nicolas Rabas, Rute M. M. Ferreira, Stefania Di Blasio & Ilaria Malanchi

María Natalia Gandur Quiroga is a Medical Oncologist and Chief of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Ángel H. Roffo Oncology Institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires at the Oncologists Post Graduates Studies. Her research focuses on clinical trials with aims to improve the treatment of patients with urologic tumors.  She is an active member of the European Association for Cancer Research, Argentinian Medical Association and American Society of Clinical Oncology.