Guest Editors
Dr. Eva Andreuzzi
Email: eva.andreuzzi@burlo.trieste.it
Affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, 34137, Italy
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Research Interests: tumor microenvironment, cancer, extracellular matrix, chemoresistance
Dr. Albina Fejza
Email: albinafejza@gmail.com
Affiliation: UBT-Higher Education Institution, Kalabria, 10000, Kosovo
Homepage:
Research Interests: tumor microenvironment, cancer, immunotherapy, extracellular matrix
Summary
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy, prompting a shift in focus from targeting cancer cells alone to addressing the complex network of surrounding components that support tumor growth. This network involves various players, such as immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), blood vessels, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and diverse signaling molecules. All these elements are highly exploited by tumor cells. T cells and macrophages are targeted and manipulated by cancer cells to evade immune responses, making immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors essential for restoring immune function.
Meanwhile, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to ECM remodeling, metastasis, and drug resistance. On the other hand, angiogenesis is pivotal for supplying tumors with oxygen and nutrients, making anti-angiogenic therapies crucial for cutting off this support. Additionally, hypoxic conditions within tumors drive metabolic adaptations that promote survival, creating opportunities to target altered metabolic pathways. The dense ECM also acts as a physical barrier to therapy, and strategies to modify or degrade it are under investigation to enhance drug delivery.
Considering these facts, emerging therapeutic approaches now aim to simultaneously target multiple aspects of the TME—such as immune modulation, vascular disruption, and ECM alteration—offering a more comprehensive and personalized strategy to combat cancer.
Keywords
cancer, tumor microenvironment, chemoresistance
Published Papers
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