The plasticity of cancer cells is critical in tumorigenesis and in tumor progression. Phenotypic and functional modifications arise among cancer cells during tumor progression as a consequence of genetic/genomic change, environmental differences, xenobiotics exposure, deregulated signaling and reversible changes in cellular properties. Plasticity of cancer cells underlies their capacity to adapt to the numerous selective pressures they encounter from tumor initiation to malignant and invasive phenotypes. These mechanisms also participate in post-treatment drug resistance and in cancer relapse. Recent technological and analytical advances in biology and medicine have made it possible to elucidate the mechanisms of cancer plasticity and its impact on drug resistance and treatment.
In this Research Topic we would like to focus on:
1. Molecular and cellular regulators of cancer cell plasticity (CSP) contributing to the tumor development and progression: signaling, microenvironment, epigenetics;
2. How do xenobiotics and environmental factors exposure contribute to cell plasticity;
3. Metabolic plasticity in cancer cells and its targeting;
4. CSP and heterogeneity in cancer;
5. Role of CSP in promoting cancer relapse and reoccurrence;
6. Therapy-induced cancer cells state switching;
7. Implications of CSP for development of targeted therapeutics;
8. Genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of acquired drug resistance
The objective is to generate a collaborative discussion on new insights in the mechanisms of cancer plasticity, in order to explore novel treatment targets. We welcome high-quality, Original Research (both clinical and experimental studies) and Review articles.
The plasticity of cancer cells is critical in tumorigenesis and in tumor progression. Phenotypic and functional modifications arise among cancer cells during tumor progression as a consequence of genetic/genomic change, environmental differences, xenobiotics exposure, deregulated signaling and reversible changes in cellular properties. Plasticity of cancer cells underlies their capacity to adapt to the numerous selective pressures they encounter from tumor initiation to malignant and invasive phenotypes. These mechanisms also participate in post-treatment drug resistance and in cancer relapse. Recent technological and analytical advances in biology and medicine have made it possible to elucidate the mechanisms of cancer plasticity and its impact on drug resistance and treatment.
In this Research Topic we would like to focus on:
1. Molecular and cellular regulators of cancer cell plasticity (CSP) contributing to the tumor development and progression: signaling, microenvironment, epigenetics;
2. How do xenobiotics and environmental factors exposure contribute to cell plasticity;
3. Metabolic plasticity in cancer cells and its targeting;
4. CSP and heterogeneity in cancer;
5. Role of CSP in promoting cancer relapse and reoccurrence;
6. Therapy-induced cancer cells state switching;
7. Implications of CSP for development of targeted therapeutics;
8. Genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of acquired drug resistance
The objective is to generate a collaborative discussion on new insights in the mechanisms of cancer plasticity, in order to explore novel treatment targets. We welcome high-quality, Original Research (both clinical and experimental studies) and Review articles.