How Age-Related Biological Changes Promote Tumor Metastasis

Recent research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has shed light on how aging influences the spread of tumors, particularly melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. In a comprehensive preclinical study, scientists demonstrated that biological changes in the tissue environment surrounding tumors in older individuals make cancers more likely to metastasize, especially in those aged 70 and above.

The investigation focused on immune cells known as macrophages, which play a crucial role in immune response. The study found that aging causes alterations in macrophage activity near tumor sites, supporting the dissemination of cancer cells to other parts of the body. One key discovery was that the protein TREM2 on macrophages' surfaces is instrumental in this process. When researchers inhibited TREM2 expression in aged mice, melanoma's ability to spread to the lungs was significantly reduced.

These findings suggest that targeting immune cell functions, specifically TREM2, could be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent or limit metastasis in older melanoma patients. This research not only provides insights into the biological mechanisms driving cancer progression with age but also opens avenues for developing age-specific cancer treatments.

The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the cellular and molecular changes associated with aging in the tumor microenvironment, paving the way for interventions that could improve outcomes for elderly cancer patients. Future therapies might focus on modulating immune responses to better combat metastatic disease in the aging population.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-age-biological-tumors.html