Tumor metastasis to lymph nodes requires YAP-dependent metabolic adaptation

Abstract

Fueling lymph node metastases Metastatic cells can migrate from a primary tumor to distant organs through two routes: They can enter the bloodstream directly, or they can enter a lymph node adjacent to the primary tumor. Little is known about the biological mechanisms that allow tumor cells to survive and grow within lymph nodes. Studying mouse models, Lee et al. found that tumor cells adapt to the lymph node microenvironment by shifting their metabolism toward fatty acid oxidation. This occurs through activation of a signaling pathway driven by the yes-associated protein (YAP) transcription factor. Importantly, inhibition of fatty acid oxidation or YAP signaling suppressed lymph node metastasis in the mice. Science , this issue p. 644