Biology of Pericytes – Recent Advances: Role of Pericytes in Brain Metastasis

Introduction Brain metastases are the most common brain neoplasms observed clinically in adults, comprising more than half of all brain tumors. Brain metastases have been historically understudied, and they represent an emerging and urgent unmet medical need. The major impediment to effectively treating brain metastatic disease is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This barrier excludes most chemotherapeutics from the brain and creates a sanctuary site for metastatic cancers. Recent studies have provided some evidence that astrocytes play a major role in brain metastasis by engaging different modes of interactions with incoming cancer cells. By contrast, little is known concerning the underlying mechanisms of brain metastasis formation, especially the role of pericytes. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of the biology of pericytes, especially regarding its role in brain metastasis.