The invisible phase of metastasis: Impact of dormancy, cancer cell plasticity and evolution of the niche during metastatic progression
The programme aims to deliver an in-depth overview of recently identified mechanisms - cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental - that are decisive for metastatic colonization and early organ-specific or systemic defence. After manifestation, metastatic disease in patients and animal models is well studied, increasingly understood and disease courses found to be surprisingly homogeneous and constant in many cancer types. In stark contrast, disease courses before metastatic manifestation are highly variable and we are just getting a first glimpse into the - until recently - invisible phase of metastatic progression. However, this phase bears the greatest potential for improved cancer cures.