Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment: Recent Advances and Emerging Concepts
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Stem Cells".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 235
Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in understanding the role of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Increasing evidence confirms the unique and dynamic interactions of MSCs with cancer cells and surrounding TME. In response to tumor-derived cues, MSCs undergo profound phenotypic, metabolic, and functional changes, thereby influencing cancer progression, immune interactions, and resistance to therapy.
This Special Issue invites submissions addressing the full spectrum of MSC biology in cancer, including their recruitment and spatial organization within tumors, their plasticity and transition towards cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-like state, MSC-driven remodeling of the biochemical and biomechanical tumor landscape, immune modulation, and tumor vascularization.
We welcome original research articles and critical reviews addressing MSC crosstalk with cancer stem cells and immune and vascular compartments, as well as studies focusing on metabolic and mechanical MSC-tumor interactions. This Special Issue welcomes innovative approaches using 3D models, organoids or organ-on-chip systems, advanced imaging technologies, and in silico modelling.
Overall, this Special Issue aims to provide a forward-looking framework to identify novel concepts, methodological advances, and therapeutic opportunities that expand our understanding of the MSC-driven mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis.
Dr. Yuri Petrenko
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells
- tumor microenvironment
- cancer stem cells
- metabolic rewiring
- biomechanical cues
- 3D modelling
- paracrine interactions
- vascularization
- differentiation
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