Unraveling the multifaceted cellular and physiological processes associated with metastasis is best achieved by using in vivo models that recapitulate the requisite tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms at the organismal level. We discuss the current status of mouse models of metastasis. We consider how mouse models can refine our understanding of the underlying biological and molecular processes that promote metastasis, and we envisage how the application of new technologies will further enhance investigations of metastasis at single-cell resolution in the context of the whole organism. Our view is that investigations based on state-of-the-art mouse models can propel a holistic understanding of the biology of metastasis, which will ultimately lead to the discovery of new therapeutic opportunities.

揭示与转移相关的多方面细胞和生理过程最好通过使用体内模型来实现，该模型在有机体水平上概括了必要的肿瘤细胞内在和外在机制。我们讨论了转移小鼠模型的现状。我们考虑小鼠模型如何改进我们对促进转移的潜在生物和分子过程的理解，并且我们设想新技术的应用将如何进一步加强在整个生物体背景下以单细胞分辨率对转移的研究。我们的观点是，基于最先进小鼠模型的研究可以推动对转移生物学的全面了解，这最终将导致发现新的治疗机会。