Figure 1. Prostate cancer stem-like cells early migrate to prostate draining lymph nodes through the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis, and dampen T cell responses with Tenascin-C.

Already at the stage of PIN, prostate CSC are attracted to PLN by a CXCL12 gradient. Both at the primary site and in the metastatic niche CSC use TNC to overcome immune surveillance. Drugs that either block the CXCR4-CXCL12 or the TNC-α5β1 axes could reduce metastasis occurrence.