转移是一个复杂而艰巨的病理生理过程，包括癌细胞从原发肿瘤体扩散到远处器官。它是一种影响深远且具有破坏性的现象，是癌症相关死亡率的主要驱动因素。尽管癌症研究和治疗取得了巨大进步，但定制的抗转移疗法要么缺乏，要么取得的成功有限，因此需要更深入地了解驱动癌症侵袭性的内在因素。这篇全面的综述从复杂的归巢和侵袭过程开始，对癌症转移领域的关键方面进行了当代阐述。解决了支持肿瘤生长和转移的血管生成过程以及转移前的生态位，其中原发肿瘤为远处部位的后续转移定植准备了有利的微环境。还讨论了转移相关的遗传和表观遗传机制、转移基因和转移抑制基因的参与以及 microRNA (miRNA)。此外，还讨论了免疫调节剂对转移的影响及其作为治疗靶点的潜力。讨论了癌细胞和免疫系统之间的相互作用，包括转移细胞采用的免疫逃避机制，强调了靶向免疫调节在阻止转移进展中的重要性。最后，这篇综述提出了有希望的治疗机会，这些机会源自对转移机制的深入了解。确定新的治疗靶点并制定创新策略来破坏转移级联，对于改善患者的治疗结果并最终降低癌症相关死亡率具有巨大的潜力。© 2024 作者。

Metastasis is an intricate and formidable pathophysiological process encompassing the dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumour body to distant organs. It stands as a profound and devastating phenomenon that constitutes the primary driver of cancer-related mortality. Despite great strides of advancements in cancer research and treatment, tailored anti-metastasis therapies are either lacking or have shown limited success, necessitating a deeper understanding of the intrinsic elements driving cancer invasiveness. This comprehensive review presents a contemporary elucidation of pivotal facets within the realm of cancer metastasis, commencing with the intricate processes of homing and invasion. The process of angiogenesis, which supports tumour growth and metastasis, is addressed, along with the pre-metastatic niche, wherein the primary tumour prepares for a favorable microenvironment at distant sites for subsequent metastatic colonization. The landscape of metastasis-related genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, involvement of metastasis genes and metastasis suppressor genes, and microRNAs (miRNA) are also discussed. Furthermore, immune modulators' impact on metastasis and their potential as therapeutic targets are addressed. The interplay between cancer cells and the immune system, including immune evasion mechanisms employed by metastatic cells, is discussed, highlighting the importance of targeting immune modulation in arresting metastatic progression. Finally, this review presents promising treatment opportunities derived from the insights gained into the mechanisms of metastasis. Identifying novel therapeutic targets and developing innovative strategies to disrupt the metastatic cascade holds excellent potential for improving patient outcomes and ultimately reducing cancer-related mortality.© 2024 The Authors.