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The Brain Microenvironment

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Central Nervous System Metastasis, the Biological Basis and Clinical Considerations

Part of the book series: Cancer Metastasis - Biology and Treatment ((CMBT,volume 18))

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Abstract

The incidence of brain metastasis is increasing, however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for metastasis of peripheral tumor cells and their colonization of the brain. After tumor cells metastasize to the brain, they encounter a completely different microenvironment from that in the periphery. The interactions between tumor cells and glial cells, mainly astrocytes and microglia, including soluble factors released from these cells, are still under investigation. However this knowledge will contribute to understanding the mechanisms of cell-cell interactions in the brain and identify possible therapeutic targets on resident brain cells that could effect brain metastasis formation and treatment. In addition to the complex interactions between metastatic tumor cells and the brain’s resident cells, factors from endothelial cells and endogenous plasma factors also affect the blood-brain barrier and may change tumor cell characteristics. Therefore the totality of the brain microenvironment must be considered. The cell types and soluble factors that contribute to the brain microenvironment surrounding metastatic tumor cells are discussed herein.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by Grants-in Aid for Scientific Research from the Japanese Society for Promotion of Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

    Mami Noda Ph.D.

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  1. Mami Noda Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Mami Noda Ph.D. .

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  1. , Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Convent Drive Building 3, Bethesda, 20892, Maryland, USA

    Diane Palmieri

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Noda, M. (2012). The Brain Microenvironment. In: Palmieri, D. (eds) Central Nervous System Metastasis, the Biological Basis and Clinical Considerations. Cancer Metastasis - Biology and Treatment, vol 18. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5291-7_3

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