Metastasis: Active lymph nodes

摘要

Lymph node metastases are indicative of poor prognosis but the mechanisms of tumour cell dissemination via the lymphatics are poorly understood. Although it is widely believed that tumour cells enter the lymph nodes passively with the flow of lymph, previous data have indicated that some chemokines may promote lymphatic extravasation and metastasis. Das et al. now demonstrate that tumour cell entry into the lymph node requires active cell migration and they also identify the lymphatic endothelium of the lymph node subcapsular sinus as a critical gatekeeper.