Role of the tumor microenvironment in regulating the anti-metastatic effect of KISS1

AbstractKISS1, a metastasis suppressor gene, has been shown to block metastasis without affecting primary tumor formation. Loss ofKISS1 leads to invasion and metastasis in multiple cancers, which is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. The discovery ofKISS1 has provided a ray of hope for early clinical diagnosis and for designing effective treatments targeting metastatic cancer. However, this goal requires greater holistic understanding of its mechanism of action. In this review, we go back into history and highlight some key developments, from the discovery ofKISS1 to its role in regulating multiple physiological processes including cancer. We discuss key emerging roles for KISS1, specifically interactions with tissue microenvironment to promote dormancy and regulation of tumor cell metabolism, acknowledged as some of the key players in tumor progression and metastasis. We finally discuss strategies whereby KISS1 might be exploited clinically to treat metastasis.
Source: Clinical and Experimental Metastasis - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research