The Role of Stromal Microenvironment in Tumour Angiogenesis: Biological Pathways and Therapeutic Implications

Dear Colleagues,

An innovative concept developed in the last decades identifies malignant tumors as entities composed of two tissue compartments: the first one is represented by proliferating tumor cells, the second one is constituted by the stromal microenvironment. In the latter compartment, angiogenesis takes place and plays a central role in tumor development and progression. These compartments interact and influence each other in a paracrine manner. In the stromal compartment, mast cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts can stimulate both endothelial cells and pericytes proliferation, participating in angiogenesis. The number of the above inflammatory stromal cells increases in the transition from normal tissue to tumor tissue when angiogenesis occurs. In this context, these cellular types and the related pro-angiogenic factors such as tryptase, vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase, and others could be distinct targets for therapeutic interventions.  On this basis, the stromal microenvironment could be considered a multi-target tissue for novel anti-angiogenic therapies.  In this Special Issue, I welcome your contributions in the form of original papers and review manuscripts, from bench to bedside, on all topics related to “The Role of Stromal Microenvironment in Tumour Angiogenesis: Biological Pathways and Therapeutic Implications”.

Prof. Dr. Girolamo Ranieri
Guest Editor

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