Peer-review started: January 22, 2015
First decision: March 6, 2015
Revised: May 20, 2015
Accepted: July 16, 2015
Article in press: July 17, 2015
Published online: July 27, 2015
Processing time: 195 Days and 14 Hours
Core tip: Metastasis relies on differentiation of some cancer stem cells in the primary tumour niche led by many micro-environmental signals. These signals include the participation of immune cell subsets such as tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, dendritic cells and regulatory populations. Metastatic stem cells can be identified in the removed primary tumour. The study of the number and function of these immune cell populations in parallel with metastatic stem cells (MetSCs) in the primary tumour, together with follow-up data of patients, will define the usefulness of specific immune and MetSCs cell population combinations. This can be combined with defining new biomarkers as future predictors of tumour recurrences, metastases and/or mortality in colorectal cancer.