Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Development and Metastasis

Cancer metastasis is the predominant cause of cancer-related mortality, and most current therapies remain ineffective against disseminated disease, largely due to an incomplete understanding of its underlying biology. A comprehensive elucidation of the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression is therefore critical for developing novel therapeutic strategies. This Special Issue focuses on the fundamental biological processes enabling metastasis, highlighting key areas such as genetic and epigenetic alterations, dysregulated signaling pathways, angiogenesis, and mechanisms of cell migration and invasion. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the tumor microenvironment (TME), and immune evasion in facilitating the spread of cancer cells.