Tumor dormancy and disease recurrence

Excerpt

The fascinating reviews in this series highlight the importance of dormant tumor cells in predisposing to eventual recurrence, local spread, and metastasis of cancer cells that are aggressive and resistant to multiple therapeutic modalities. They highlight potential links and similarities between dormant cancer cells and cancer-harboring senescent cells. These findings raise a number of questions, suggest research directions, and indicate possible novel approaches for cancer treatment with potential for developing treatments to delay or even fully prevent cancer recurrence. As suggested from accumulating evidence, methods need to be developed for eliminating all remaining cancer-harboring cells. Perhaps only one or a few such cells remaining after primary tumor treatment is sufficient for cancer to relapse. Research in this currently underfunded area needs to be supported and initiated urgently. …