Researchers have found that where cancer spreads in the body may be decided by the tumor’s genes long before metastasis happens. Studying uveal melanoma, a rare eye cancer, they discovered a genetic reason why certain cancers tend to spread to specific organs.
Although cancer cells can travel throughout the body, they only grow well in organs that match their genetic traits. In this study, many tumor cells spread, but only those with a mutation in the BAP1 gene were able to survive and form new tumors in the liver. This shows that the cancer’s preference for the liver is not random—it is programmed in the tumor’s DNA early in its development.
This discovery could improve patient care. Doctors may monitor high-risk organs more closely, such as doing regular liver scans for patients with certain genetic markers. Clinical trials can also group patients based on tumor genetics to better test treatments. Overall, understanding a tumor’s genetic makeup may help doctors choose more personalized and effective therapies.