Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42148086›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in immunology2026

Orchestrating the pre-metastatic niche: roles of stromal mediators and immune cells in metastatic progression and therapeutic targeting.

Yihao Zhai, Hao Peng, Dayuan Liu, Liqiang Huang, Hua Zhang, Hongli Jiang, Baoshou Su, Yunxiang Zhong, Guolong Deng, Ning Li and 2 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in immunology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Yihao Zhai *Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Hao Peng *Department of Neurosurgery, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
Dayuan Liu *Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Liqiang HuangKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Hua ZhangDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Hongli JiangDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Baoshou SuDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Yunxiang ZhongDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Guolong DengDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Ning LiDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Jigao FengDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Caicai ZhangKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in patients with malignant cancers, and the establishment of the pre-metastatic niche (PMN) is recognized as a pivotal step in this process. With growing insight into the tumor microenvironment, the roles of immune cells and stromal mediators in PMN formation have gained increasing attention. This review systematically summarizes the core functions of stromal components and immune cells in PMN development and their coordinated regulatory mechanisms within the metastatic cascade, encompassing macrophages, tumor-associated fibroblasts, neutrophils, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, T cells, and other cellular elements. Particular emphasis is placed on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and immune suppression as central determinants of PMN establishment. Furthermore, the Organotropism mechanisms underlying PMN formation are discussed, along with their potential implications for future research and clinical translation. In addition, the dynamic transition from PMN to the metastatic niche (MN) is examined, with a focus on the regulation of tumor cell dormancy and reactivation. Building on these insights, the review further discusses therapeutic strategies targeting stromal mediators and immune cells, along with the potential clinical value of related interventions. Future studies should aim to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these complex interactions to provide a theoretical foundation and new directions for cancer prevention and treatment.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsStromal CellsTumor MicroenvironmentAnimalsDisease ProgressionExtracellular MatrixHumansNeoplasm MetastasisNeutrophilsimmunemetastatic nichepre-metastatic nichestromal mediatortumor metastasistumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID42148086
PMCPMC13171594

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.