Decoding metastatic microenvironments through single-cell omics reveals new insights into niche dynamics and tumor evolution
Fig 1
Single-cell insights into pre-metastatic niche formation, tumor dormancy, and reactivation dynamics.
Schematic representation illustrating critical events in metastatic niche formation and progression revealed by single-cell analyses. Primary tumors initiate the creation of pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) through the release of tumor-derived exosomes and factors, which recruit myeloid-derived cells and induce stromal remodeling in distant tissues, establishing an immunosuppressive and fibrotic microenvironment prior to tumor cell arrival. Upon arrival, disseminated tumor cells may enter dormancy, regulated by niche interactions involving immune and vascular cells. Dormant cells are maintained by interactions with stable vasculature, immune surveillance, and signaling pathways such as Jagged-1/Notch, but can reactivate when interacting with niche cells. ECM, extracellular matrix; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; NET, neutrophil extracellular trap.