Amoeboid migration in health and disease: Immune responses versus cancer dissemination

Cell migration is crucial for efficient immune responses and is aberrantly used by cancer cells during metastatic dissemination. Amoeboid migrating cells use myosin II-powered blebs to propel themselves, and change morphology and direction. Immune cells use amoeboid strategies to respond rapidly to infection or tissue damage, which require quick passage through several barriers, including blood, lymph and interstitial tissues, with complex and varied environments. Amoeboid migration is also used by metastatic cancer cells to aid their migration, dissemination and survival, whereby key mechanisms are hijacked from professionally motile immune cells. We explore important parallels observed between amoeboid immune and cancer cells. We also consider key distinctions that separate the lifespan, state and fate of these cell types as they migrate and/or fulfil their function. Finally, we reflect on unexplored areas of research that would enhance our understanding of how tumour cells use immune cell strategies during metastasis, and how to target these processes.