Emerging Paradigms in Cancer Metastasis: Ghost Mitochondria, Vasculogenic Mimicry, and Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells.

Simple Summary: Metastatic disease is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, accounting for over 80% of cancer deaths. Recent studies have introduced and refined several theories on cancer metastasis, including ghost mitochondria (GM), vasculogenic mimicry (VM), and the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). Understanding the complex processes of cancer metastasis is crucial for developing effective treatment options. The capacity of cancer cells to migrate from a primary tumor, disseminate throughout the body, and eventually establish secondary tumors is a fundamental aspect of metastasis. A detailed understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning this multifaceted process would facilitate the rational development of therapies aimed at treating metastatic disease. Although various hypotheses and models have been proposed, no single concept fully explains the mechanism of metastasis or integrates all observations and experimental findings. Recent advancements in metastasis research have refined existing theories and introduced new ones. This review evaluates several novel/emerging theories, focusing on ghost mitochondria (GM), vasculogenic mimicry (VM), and polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]