Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity
Numerous studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways underlying cancer metastasis, as there is still no effective treatment for this terminal stage of the disease. However, the exact processes that enable primary cancer cells to acquire a metastatic phenotype remain un...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1524781/full |
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| author | Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Laura Hurtado-Navarro Laura Hurtado-Navarro |
| author_facet | Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Laura Hurtado-Navarro Laura Hurtado-Navarro |
| author_sort | Eduardo López-Collazo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Numerous studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways underlying cancer metastasis, as there is still no effective treatment for this terminal stage of the disease. However, the exact processes that enable primary cancer cells to acquire a metastatic phenotype remain unclear. Increasing attention has been focused on the fusion of cancer cells with myeloid cells, a phenomenon that may result in hybrid cells, so-called Tumour Hybrid Cells (THCs), with enhanced migratory, angiogenic, immune evasion, colonisation, and metastatic properties. This process has been shown to potentially drive tumour progression, drug resistance, and cancer recurrence. In this review, we explore the potential mechanisms that govern cancer cell fusion, the molecular mediators involved, the metastatic characteristics acquired by fusion-derived hybrids, and their clinical significance in human cancer. Additionally, we discuss emerging pharmacological strategies aimed at targeting fusogenic molecules as a means to prevent metastatic dissemination. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-332d84dc3fad4c65947a5101c165a6cd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj-art-332d84dc3fad4c65947a5101c165a6cd2025-02-04T06:32:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-02-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15247811524781Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneityEduardo López-Collazo0Eduardo López-Collazo1Eduardo López-Collazo2Eduardo López-Collazo3Laura Hurtado-Navarro4Laura Hurtado-Navarro5The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, SpainTumour Immunology Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, SpainCIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, SpainUNIE University, Madrid, SpainThe Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, SpainTumour Immunology Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, SpainNumerous studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways underlying cancer metastasis, as there is still no effective treatment for this terminal stage of the disease. However, the exact processes that enable primary cancer cells to acquire a metastatic phenotype remain unclear. Increasing attention has been focused on the fusion of cancer cells with myeloid cells, a phenomenon that may result in hybrid cells, so-called Tumour Hybrid Cells (THCs), with enhanced migratory, angiogenic, immune evasion, colonisation, and metastatic properties. This process has been shown to potentially drive tumour progression, drug resistance, and cancer recurrence. In this review, we explore the potential mechanisms that govern cancer cell fusion, the molecular mediators involved, the metastatic characteristics acquired by fusion-derived hybrids, and their clinical significance in human cancer. Additionally, we discuss emerging pharmacological strategies aimed at targeting fusogenic molecules as a means to prevent metastatic dissemination.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1524781/fullmetastasiscell fusionmacrophagescancer cell hybridtumour hybrid cellcancer recurrence |
| spellingShingle | Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Eduardo López-Collazo Laura Hurtado-Navarro Laura Hurtado-Navarro Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity Frontiers in Immunology metastasis cell fusion macrophages cancer cell hybrid tumour hybrid cell cancer recurrence |
| title | Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity |
| title_full | Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity |
| title_fullStr | Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity |
| title_short | Cell fusion as a driver of metastasis: re-evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity |
| title_sort | cell fusion as a driver of metastasis re evaluating an old hypothesis in the age of cancer heterogeneity |
| topic | metastasis cell fusion macrophages cancer cell hybrid tumour hybrid cell cancer recurrence |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1524781/full |
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