Brain Vascular Microenvironments in Cancer Metastasis

Tobar, LE; Farnsworth, RH; Stacker, SA

Author(s): Tobar, LE; Farnsworth, RH; Stacker, SA;
Details: Publication Year 2022-03-04,Volume 12,Issue #3,Page 401
Journal Title: Biomolecules
Publication Type: Review
Abstract: Primary tumours, particularly from major solid organs, are able to disseminate into the blood and lymphatic system and spread to distant sites. These secondary metastases to other major organs are the most lethal aspect of cancer, accounting for the majority of cancer deaths. The brain is a frequent site of metastasis, and brain metastases are often fatal due to the critical role of the nervous system and the limited options for treatment, including surgery. This creates a need to further understand the complex cell and molecular biology associated with the establishment of brain metastasis, including the changes to the environment of the brain to enable the arrival and growth of tumour cells. Local changes in the vascular network, immune system and stromal components all have the potential to recruit and foster metastatic tumour cells. This review summarises our current understanding of brain vascular microenvironments, fluid circulation and drainage in the context of brain metastases, as well as commenting on current cutting-edge experimental approaches used to investigate changes in vascular environments and alterations in specialised subsets of blood and lymphatic vessel cells during cancer spread to the brain.
Keywords: Brain/pathology; *Brain Neoplasms/pathology; Humans; Lymphatic System/physiology; *Lymphatic Vessels; Neoplasm Metastasis/pathology; Tumor Microenvironment; blood vessels; brain; leptomeninges; lymphatic vessels; metastasis; microenvironment; stroma
Department(s): Laboratory Research
PubMed ID: 35327593
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12030401
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12030401
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2025-04-24 06:04:44

Last Modified: 2025-04-24 06:06:07