Loss of SMAD4 From Colorectal Cancer Cells Promotes CCL15 Expression to Recruit CCR1+ Myeloid Cells and Facilitate Liver Metastasis

In human CRC cells, loss of SMAD4 leads to up-regulation of CCL15 expression. Human liver metastases that express CCL15 contain higher numbers CCR1+ cells; patients with these metastases have shorter times of disease-free survival. Reagents designed to block CCL15 recruitment of CCR1+ cells could prevent metastasis of CRC to liver.