Tumor Microenvironment (TME): Cellular and Molecular Interactions
A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Tumor Microenvironment".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 240
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cancer; cancer stem cells; hypoxia; connexins; hemichannels; tumor microenvironment; extracellular ATP
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is increasingly recognized as a fundamental regulator of cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response. Rather than acting as a passive scaffold, the TME represents a highly dynamic and interactive system composed of malignant cells and a broad range of non-malignant components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, immune infiltrates, extracellular matrix (ECM) elements, and a diverse spectrum of soluble mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and metabolites. These elements form a complex and continuously evolving network of cellular and molecular interactions that critically shape tumor behavior. In parallel, stromal and immune cells within the TME influence tumor plasticity, metabolic reprogramming, hypoxic adaptation, and resistance to both conventional and targeted therapies. Additionally, cancer-associated fibroblasts contribute to tumor progression via ECM remodeling and paracrine signaling, while tumor-associated immune cells frequently acquire immunosuppressive phenotypes that hinder effective anti-tumor immunity. Moreover, abnormal vascularization and regions of hypoxia increase genetic instability, alter cellular metabolism, and restrict drug penetration, collectively promoting the emergence of more aggressive and therapy-resistant cancer phenotypes such as cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this context, the TME has become a critical therapeutic target, as evidenced by the success of immunotherapies, anti-angiogenic strategies, and treatments aimed at disrupting tumor–stroma interactions. This Special Issue, “Tumor Microenvironment (TME): Cellular and Molecular Interactions,” brings together original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore the cellular composition, signaling networks, structural dynamics, and functional consequences of the TME, with the goal of providing an updated and integrated view of how tumor–host interactions can be leveraged to develop more effective and durable cancer therapies.
Dr. Mauricio Retamal
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- cancer stem cells
- hypoxia
- connexins
- tumor microenvironment
- extracellular ATP
- immune cells
- extracellular acidification
- extracellular matrix
- extracellular vesicles
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