Intercellular Communications in Tumor Microenvironment

Dear Colleagues,

Within the tumor microenvironment, intercellular communication is a complex network that promotes cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In this particular environment, tumor cells communicate not only with each other but also with surrounding stroma cells or any other cell type present such as macrophages and endothelial cells through various forms that can be either direct (gap junctions) or indirect by the exchange of secreted factors (growth factors, cytokines, etc.).

Recently, other communication modalities emerged such as exosomes or tunneling nanotubes. The exosomes, nanometric-sized vesicles (30 to 100 nm in diameter), are secreted by cells of the tumor microenvironment. Taken up by other cells, exosome cargoes (proteins, glycans, lipids, metabolites, RNA and DNA) are transferred to target cells and influence their gene expression and behavior. Tunneling nanotubes are cytoplasmic extensions that facilitate the transport, between tumor cells and stromal cells, of cargoes (microRNAs, mitochondria, etc.), which can be responsible for cancer cell invasion, metastasis, or resistance to chemotherapy.

Therefore, through its various forms, intercellular communication is essential for tumor progression. This special issue will allow focusing on these different modalities of intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment, in order to better diagnose tumors, classify them, and predict the outcome of treatments.

Dr. Norah Defamie
Prof. Marc Mesnil
Guest Editors

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