Modelling distinct modes of tumour invasion and metastasis

Tumour metastasis, the process by which tumour cells spread throughout the body, is the principle cause of mortality for cancer patients. The complexity and redundancy in mechanisms of metastasis have hampered the development of effective anti-metastatic therapies. Recent advances in imaging and proteomic technologies are enhancing our ability to model and understand the metastasis process. In this article we describe a variety of modern in vitro and in vivo tumour invasion models and discuss how each can be applied to place specific target classes, into appropriate disease context, thereby facilitating more insightful therapeutic targeting.