Immune mechanisms in the sequential steps of metastasis.
The number of viable disseminating cancer cells may be reduced dramatically at each step of the metastatic sequence. Host defense mechanisms may contribute to the reduction in the number of cancer cells able to accomplish each step of metastasis. However, augmentation by host defense mechanisms of the ability to complete metastatic events has been observed. The role of cellular host defense mechanisms in the elimination of disseminating cancer cells at individual steps of metastasis is reviewed.
Miller
F R
FR
Breast Cancer Biology Program, Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit 48201.
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology; D007167:Immunotherapy; D051379:Mice; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000276:immunology*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000628:therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D051381:Rats
D007155:Immunologic Factors