Invasion and Metastasis

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Course Information

Date: Anytime
Duration: 75 Minutes
Location: Virtual
Audience: ACVIM, ECEIM, ECVIM-CA and ECVN Diplomates and candidates
Specialty: Oncology
Type: On Demand
CE Hours: 1.25

Course Overview

Metastasis is a common cause of death in patients with solid tumors.  Research in this area may lead to better identification of patients at risk of developing metastasis in addition to improved therapies for patients with metastatic disease.  This lecture is intended to provide a basic overview of tumor invasion and metastasis. We will start with an introduction to the steps of the metastatic cascade, including a review of foundational experimental and clinical evidence that has led to our current understanding of this process.  We will then cover the fundamentals of tumor progression, as it relates to metastatic heterogeneity, and review evidence supporting Stephen Paget’s original “seed and soil” hypothesis.  With this knowledge we will move into examples of how stromal and immune cells may interact with tumor cells to regulate or facilitate individual steps of the metastatic cascade.  Finally, we will review current concepts and trends in metastasis research including the potential fate of disseminated tumor cells, importance of the metastatic niche, reactivation of dormancy, and implications for the clinical therapy of metastasis.  

  
Learning Objectives:

  • Recall the steps of the metastatic cascade and the 'decathlon' analogy
  • Assimilate the fundamental experiments that have led to our understanding of the metastatic cascade
  • Provide an example of paracrine signaling or cross-talk between tumor tissues and stromal tissues/immune cells and explain how this might lead to tumor progression or metastasis
  • Recognize strengths and shortcomings of common in vitro and in vivo techniques capable of evaluating metastasis
  • Understand the clinical implications (and limitations) of detecting tumor cells within the circulation, regional nodes or distant tissues
  • Assimilate and discuss with clients, in lay terms, the metastatic cascade and how it relates to their pet's recommended treatment
  • Recognize and define the concepts of "seed and soil", "foraging", tumor heterogeneity, exosomes and tumor dormancy

RACE Application Status

This module has been submitted and approved for 1.25 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval.

For additional questions, please contact us at Learning@ACVIM.org.

Presenter

Robert B. Rebhun, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology)

Robert B. Rebhun, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology) 
Professor and Maxine Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology 
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

 

Dr. Rebhun currently serves as Professor and Maxine Adler Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Rebhun is a second-generation veterinarian who received both his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Cornell University. He then earned a Ph.D. degree in Cancer Biology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Isaiah Fidler. Dr. Rebhun went on to complete a medical oncology residency at the Flint Animal Cancer Center, at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Rebhun’s research is focused on comparative and translational oncology, with specific interests in metastasis, novel therapeutics, and immunotherapy. He has successfully maintained NIH funding since first being awarded a K01 SERCA award in 2011. Dr. Rebhun also serves as Chair of Admissions for the Graduate Group in Integrative Pathobiology at UC Davis and is Associate Director of the Cancer Program within the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health.  


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