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Relatively few malignant cells shed by primary tumors metastasize successfully: Either the cells do not enter distant organs, or they enter but fail to multiply. Understanding the molecular biology of successful metastatic colonization could open a route to novel targeted treatments. Now, two studies in mouse models of breast cancer address this approach.
An international team found that only some of the cells shed into the circulation by a primary tumor — cancer stem cells — can establish metastases (JW Gen Med Aug 27 2009). These cells attach to endothelial cells in the target organ's microcirculation, and then invade the stroma. Next, the stem cells induce fibroblasts in the stroma to produce a molecule called periostin. Blocking periosti…