The article discusses Luigi Ombrato’s research on the early stages of cancer metastasis, a critical yet poorly understood phase in cancer progression. While much is known about how tumors grow at their primary site and spread, little is understood about what happens once cancer cells reach distant organs and begin to establish new colonies.
Ombrato’s work focuses on how cancer cells adapt to and survive in foreign environments, often by interacting with the tumor microenvironment (TME)—a complex mix of immune and stromal cells, signaling molecules, and structural components. The TME can both hinder and help tumor cells, and understanding how cancer manipulates it to create a supportive “niche” is key to preventing metastasis.
Recent advances in imaging, single-cell, and spatial omics technologies are allowing researchers to study these early metastatic events in unprecedented detail. Ombrato’s lab uses these tools to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable disseminated tumor cells to survive and grow.
A major focus is on the immune landscape, especially innate immune cells like macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells, which play crucial but not fully understood roles in shaping metastatic niches. By mapping how these cells interact with cancer cells, Ombrato aims to find ways to disrupt the formation of tumor-supportive environments.
Ultimately, this research seeks to identify therapeutic targets that could block metastasis at its earliest, most vulnerable stage—offering new hope for preventing cancer recurrence and improving patient outcomes.
Credit: Dr Luigi Ombrato | CRUK