Disseminated tumor cells and dormancy in prostate cancer metastasis

- Disseminated tumor cells can be found in the majority of prostate cancer patients, even without clinical evidence of metastatic disease.
- The identity and characteristics of circulating and disseminated tumor cells remain unclear.
- Autocrine and paracrine signals are likely needed to induce a proliferative switch in dormant prostate cancer DTCs.
- Therapies to 'treat' DTCs need to be developed.