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The mechanics of metastatic seeding

Metastatic colonization of distant organs is the prime cause of mortality from cancer, and is governed by a series of steps that include survival and growth in the perivascular niche. A study now shows that L1CAM is necessary for tight physical interactions in this niche, involving a YAP–MRTF–β1-integrin mechanotransduction pathway.

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Fig. 1: Survival and proliferation of metastatic tumour cells in the perivascular niche depends on L1CAM–ILK–YAP mechanotransduction signalling.

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Correspondence to Frank Winkler.

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Karreman, M.A., Winkler, F. The mechanics of metastatic seeding. Nat Cell Biol 20, 860–862 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-018-0162-8

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