What Are the Clinical Implications of Understanding Metastasis?
Understanding the histological aspects of cancer metastasis has significant clinical implications. It aids in the development of targeted therapies aimed at specific stages of the metastatic cascade. For example, inhibitors of MMPs can prevent ECM degradation, while angiogenesis inhibitors can starve secondary tumors of their blood supply. Additionally, understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment can lead to therapies targeting the supportive cells and structures that facilitate metastasis.
