FSTL1 promotes bone metastasis by causing immune dysfunction

Abstract

In spite of significant advances in our understanding of the metastatic process, the relationship between the dissemination of primary neoplasms to the bones and antitumor immunity remains poorly understood. We have recently identified follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), a soluble protein secreted by snail family zinc finger 1 (SNAI1)-expressing cancer cells, as a key determinant of bone metastasis that operates by inducing a systemic state of immune dysfunction.

Keywords: :

• ALCAM
• bone metastasis
• FSTL1
• mesenchymal stem cell
• SNAIL

Citation: Kudo-Saito C. FSTL1 promotes bone metastasis through immune dysfunction. OncoImmunology 2013; 2:e26528; 10.4161/onci.26528

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.