Nerve Growth Factor overexpression in Clara cells suppresses metastasis and tumor growth in a mouse model of experimental lung metastasis

Background: Metastasis is a multistep process terminating in extravasation of cancer cells and growth at the secondary tumor site. The lung is often affected by metastasis since it is one of the first organs reached by systemic venous drainage. However the pathological mechanisms underlying tumor dissemination are still barely understood. One possible mediator of metastasis and tumor growth is the neurotrophin, nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF was originally identified as an essential factor for the development and maintenance of the nervous system. Recent studies show that the secretion of neurotrophins in the lu…