Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Key Players in Cancer Progression
A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Cancer Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 March 2024) | Viewed by 390
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Our view of cancer as an autonomous disease depending on the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells has undergone a profound change in the last decade. It is now widely accepted that metastasis is an outcome of cancerous cells, as well their interaction with the tumor microenvironment, and many other cell types. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent cells with a high potential to self-renew and differentiate, have gained attention as important players in modulating cancer progression. Originating from many tissue sources but primarily from bone marrow and the adipose tissue, MSCs home in on the tumor microenvironment and can contribute to metastasis. Several homing cues for MSCs, as well their paracrine interactions with other cells in the tumor microenvironment, have been identified. However, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which MSCs regulate metastasis is still limited. Indeed, reports suggest that MSCs could both stimulate or inhibit cancer progression. As MSCs are endowed with the capability to differentiate and trans-differentiate, they also contribute to heterogeneity within the stromal compartment, further masking their role within the tumor environment. The advent of new omics technologies to trace cell fate, intercellular interactions, and engineered models of cancer are allowing for increased insight into MSC fate, their signaling potential in transforming tumor and non-tumor cells, and their specific roles in the progression of cancer metastasis.
This Special Issue aims to collate research articles or reviews related to MSCs’ role in different stages of cancer progression, immunotherapy, and therapeutic approaches targeting MSCs.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcomed.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Kshitiz
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- mesenchymal stem cells
- MSCs
- tumor microenvironment
- TME
- tumor stroma
- adipose derived stem cells
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