Normal aging and its role in cancer metastasis

M Fane, AT Weeraratna - Cold Spring …, 2020 - perspectivesinmedicine.cshlp.org
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 2020perspectivesinmedicine.cshlp.org
Metastasis is the most common cause of death, with treatments failing to provide a durable
response. Aging is a key prognostic factor in many cancers. Emerging data suggest that
normal age-related changes in the tumor microenvironment can contribute to metastatic
progression. These changes encompass secreted factors, biophysical changes, and
changes in both stromal and immune cell populations. These data also highlight the
importance of conducting studies in preclinical models of appropriate age. Ultimately …
Metastasis is the most common cause of death, with treatments failing to provide a durable response. Aging is a key prognostic factor in many cancers. Emerging data suggest that normal age-related changes in the tumor microenvironment can contribute to metastatic progression. These changes encompass secreted factors, biophysical changes, and changes in both stromal and immune cell populations. These data also highlight the importance of conducting studies in preclinical models of appropriate age. Ultimately, therapies may also need to be tailored to reflect patient age, as markers of metastatic disease differ in young and aged populations. In this review, we will discuss some of the changes that occur during aging that increase the metastatic capacity of tumor cells.
perspectivesinmedicine.cshlp.org