Extracellular Matrix Components and Glycobiology in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Targeting
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 102
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cancer biology; cell signaling; cell culture; molecular biology; cell biology; signal transduction; biochemistry; cancer biomarkers; cancer immunohistochemistry
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex network of proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and polysaccharides that provides structural support to tissues and regulates essential cellular functions such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. Beyond its mechanical role, the ECM actively participates in cell signaling through biochemical and biophysical cues that shape tissue homeostasis. In cancer, this finely tuned microenvironment becomes profoundly altered. Tumor-associated remodeling of ECM components promotes malignant transformation, tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, aberrant glycosylation patterns of glycoconjugates and dysregulated glycan-mediated signaling contribute to immune evasion, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. Interactions between ECM components and glycan-binding proteins further influence tumor–stroma communication and metastatic dissemination. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that link ECM remodeling and glycosylation changes to cancer progression offers new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. By integrating insights from matrix biology and glycobiology, novel strategies can be developed to disrupt tumor-promoting microenvironments and improve clinical outcomes.
Prof. Dr. Achilleas Theocharis
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- extracellular matrix
- glycobiology
- glycoconjugates
- proteoglycans
- tumor microenvironment
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