prémetastático

Premetastatic refers to a stage in cancer development where cancer cells have begun to break away from the primary tumor but have not yet formed a new, secondary tumor (metastasis) at a distant site. This transitional phase is critical in the progression of cancer and signifies an increased risk of the disease spreading. During the premetastatic stage, tumor cells acquire the ability to invade surrounding tissues, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and survive in circulation. The formation of a premetastatic niche, a microenvironment in distant organs that is prepared to receive and support migrating tumor cells, is also a key characteristic of this stage. This niche can be influenced by factors released by the primary tumor, such as extracellular vesicles and cytokines, which alter the local environment to make it more receptive to metastatic colonization. Understanding the molecular and cellular events that define the premetastatic stage is crucial for developing strategies to prevent or intercept metastasis. Research in this area focuses on identifying biomarkers that can detect this early stage of spread and on therapeutic interventions that can disrupt the processes involved in premetastatic niche formation and tumor cell survival.