Translating the Science of Cancer Dormancy to the Clinic

The paradigm of metastasis has been significantly remodeled by the incorporation of cancer dormancy as a mechanism to explain long-term remission intervals followed by relapse. There is overall consensus on the potential impact of better understanding dormancy. Key cancer-cell autonomous and microenvironmental mechanisms might explain this biology and, in turn, the timing of metastasis. However, the approach and feasibility to apply this biology to clinical trials has been controversial. The discussion here provides insight into how these controversies are being resolved by the development of active clinical trials, thus bringing to reality opportunities to target cancer dormancy.

Automated summary

Understanding cancer dormancy has reshaped the paradigm of metastasis, explaining long remission intervals followed by relapse. While there is consensus on the potential impact of better understanding dormancy, controversy exists on applying this biology to clinical trials. Active clinical trials are resolving these controversies, providing opportunities to target cancer dormancy in reality.