The evolving role of lymphatics in cancer metastasis

•Tumours induce growth and remodelling of lymphatics which is linked with metastasis.•Lymphatic vessels modulate antitumour immunity in tumours and draining lymph nodes.•Lymphatics are involved in premetastatic niche formation, supporting metastasis.•Diverse tumour metastatic routes depend on intrin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in immunology 2018-08, Vol.53, p.64-73
Main Authors: Farnsworth, Rae H, Achen, Marc G, Stacker, Steven A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Humans
Immune System
Immunity
Lymphatic Vessels - immunology
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms - immunology
Tumor Microenvironment
Vascular Remodeling
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Summary:•Tumours induce growth and remodelling of lymphatics which is linked with metastasis.•Lymphatic vessels modulate antitumour immunity in tumours and draining lymph nodes.•Lymphatics are involved in premetastatic niche formation, supporting metastasis.•Diverse tumour metastatic routes depend on intrinsic and microenvironmental factors.•Global understanding of signalling in lymphatics will inform new therapies. While the link between the lymphatic system and the metastatic spread of cancer is centuries old, understanding of the underlying mechanisms is still evolving. Lymphatic vessels provide a route for tumour cells to reach regional lymph nodes (LNs), which is prognostic of distant organ metastasis and poor survival. However, genomic analyses of metastatic cancer now reveal complex patterns of dissemination. The lymphatic endothelial cells lining lymphatics respond to molecular cues from the tumour microenvironment, mediating growth and remodelling of lymphatic vessels at the primary tumour, draining LNs and distant premetastatic niches. Recent studies emphasise that this not only supports metastasis but also influences antitumour immunity. Understanding the complex interactions between tumour cells, the immune system and lymphatics will be essential to inform developing therapeutic and prognostic approaches to cancer.
ISSN:0952-7915
1879-0372
DOI:10.1016/j.coi.2018.04.008