A. Aligned collagens fibrils contribute to protect the primary tumor from immune cells cytotoxic effects and support cancer cell migration into the circulation and towards distant organs.
B. Collagen ECM composition exerts a selective pressure on the disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) at distant organs sites. The presence of Collagen III in particular contributes to maintain the tumor cells in a dormant status, while Collagen I fibers drives their awakening that results in the progression of the disease.
Used with permission from ©Mount Sinai Health System.