Overview

• Researchers report that ALK7 coordinates epithelial–mesenchymal transition and a β-catenin/MMP program that degrades the vascular basement membrane.
• In mouse models and a Cornell vascular organ-on-chip, pharmacologic or genetic ALK7 blockade prevented intravasation and markedly slowed metastasis.
• When tumor cells were placed directly inside vessels, they still seeded distant organs, underscoring a narrow therapeutic window before circulation begins.
• The study helps reconcile prior mixed findings by showing ALK7’s effects depend on disease context and stage.
• The work, published in Molecular Cancer and led by Cornell engineers, highlights a translational organ-on-chip platform and remains at a preclinical stage.