Molecular mechanisms and clinical therapeutic advances in lung cancer liver metastasis

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025, 05, v.60 783-787     font:big middle small

Found programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82002449)

Authors:Ji Pengcheng ;Ye Yuanzi; Shao Changchun

Keywords:lung cancer;liver metastasis;tumor microenvironment;immunotherapy;TGF-β/smad signaling pathway;integrin;combined therapy

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2025.05.003

〔Abstract〕 Liver metastasis is one of the most common complications of advanced lung cancer and an important factor influencing patient prognosis and survival. Currently, there are limited effective treatment options for lung cancer patients with liver metastasis, leading to short survival and poor prognosis. In-depth studies of the related molecular mechanisms are crucial for advancing clinical translation and optimizing therapeutic strategies. In recent years, more and more studies of the mechanisms of liver metastasis in lung cancer have performed, particularly in areas such as the roles of different proteins, cell-cell interactions, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the current understanding of the basic process of lung cancer liver metastasis, regulatory proteins, signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment changes, and clinical treatment progress. Emerging evidence highlights the critical involvement of TGF-β/smad signaling pathway and integrin family proteins in promoting lung cancer liver metastasis. In the tumor microenvironment, various cell types including mononuclear phagocytes, fibroblasts, and hepatocytes contribute to this metastatic process. Clinically, the combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and antiangiogenic therapy has shown potential to improve treatment outcomes. Furthermore, targeted therapy against specific pathways, proteins, and cells within the tumor microenvironment, as well as the integration of multiple treatment modalities, holds promise for becoming effective strategies in the future clinical management of lung cancer liver metastasis.