Dynamic Regulation of MALAT1 in Leader Cell Formation and Collective Cancer Invasion

The primary mechanism in cancer metastasis, collective invasion is becoming more widely recognized. Leader cells are specially trained cancer cells that invading the tumors. They are crucial in establishing invasion pathways, organizing follower cells, and facilitating the survival of cancer cells throughout the metastatic cascade. To aid group invasion, these leader cells activate a variety of mechanical, genomic, and metabolomic pathways. Leader cell development and function are influenced by stromal cells, matrix properties, genetic and epigenetic factors, and more.