Intravital microscopy to illuminate cell state plasticity during metastasis

Microenvironmental cues in tumors induce in a wide variety of cellular states that subsequently lead to cancer cells with distinct cellular identity, behavior, and fate. Recent literature suggests that the ability to change cellular states, a process defined as cell state plasticity, enable cells to rapidly adapt to their changing environment during tumor progression and metastasis. In this review, we will discuss how recent high-resolution intravital microscopy studies have been instrumental to reveal the real-time dynamics of tumor cell state plasticity during the different steps of the metastatic cascade. In addition, we will highlight the role of tumor plasticity during anticancer treatment response, and how plasticity can be used as a potential druggable target.

Automated summary

Tumor microenvironmental cues can lead to cancer cells with distinct cellular identity, behavior, and fate, and cell state plasticity allows cells to adapt rapidly to changing environments during tumor progression and metastasis. Recent high-resolution intravital microscopy studies have been key in revealing real-time dynamics of tumor cell state plasticity during different steps of the metastatic cascade, highlighting the importance of tumor plasticity in anticancer treatment response.