Tumor evolution shapes metastatic competence in colorectal cancer.

Genomic evolution in over 7,000 colorectal cancers determines metastatic ability and organ targeting, revealing distinct patterns that influence disease spread.

• Why it matters: Understanding how tumor evolution affects metastasis is crucial for improving patient surveillance and treatment strategies, yet the mechanisms remain unclear.
• What they did: Manca et al. analyzed primary tumor location, genomic alterations, and clinical data from a large cohort to identify patterns linking tumor evolution to metastatic behavior.
• The result: They uncovered specific evolutionary patterns that shape metastatic competence and organ tropism, providing a framework to refine surveillance and potentially guide targeted therapies.