Researchers identify predictive biomarkers for oral cancer metastasis
MD Anderson Research Highlight September 04, 2025
Most oral cancers start in squamous cells lining the mouth and tongue, and frequently metastasize to the lymph nodes. To identify potential biomarkers that predict this metastasis, researchers led by , and Ken Furudate, D.M.D., Ph.D., performed a comprehensive spatial analysis of the tumor microenvironment surrounding oral cancer cells that metastasized to the lymph nodes. They found increased levels of a specific type of activated supportive cell, called myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs), located within the invasive tumor front. The researchers showed that cancer cells don¡¯t act alone, and are, instead, aided by these myCAF ¡°accomplices.¡± The researchers also characterized several key players in the metastasis pathway, extracting a spatial molecular fingerprint to create a 23-gene signature that can predict lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with oral cancer. Learn more in .
For years, we have focused on the cancer cell itself, yet metastasis remains a major challenge. Our research reveals the challenge often lies with the cancer cell's accomplice, and we believe the key to winning this fight is to target this accomplice, preventing metastasis before it even starts.