Eicosanoids in Cancer

Background. Eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, represent one of the most biologically important group of oxylipins in mammals. These biologically active lipids have been implicated in various pathological processes, such as inflammation and cancer. The synthesis of oxygenated eicosanoids is the result of the coordinated action of several enzymes. It starts with phospholipase A2 releasing the polyunsaturated fatty acids from membrane phospholipids. The primary oxidative enzymes, such as cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 epoxidases catalyze the rate limiting step in these pathways. Finally, the isomerases, synthases and hydrolases carry out the last reaction in the synthesis of the biologically active metabolites. In the substrate and the enzymatic machinery for the production of arachidonic acid-derived prostanoids, leukotrienes and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids can originate from a single cell type or be shared between cooperating cell types, in an inflammatory milieu or tumor. Inflammation in the tumor microenvironment is now recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer. Pro-inflammatory eicosanoids are produced by both the tumor cells and the stroma. Through paracrine and autocrine actions, these biologically active lipids can modulate tumor progression by i) affecting tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion, ii) modulating tumor neo-angeogenesis, and iii) altering tumor antigenicity and shaping the tumor microenvironment. Eicosanoids mediate an intricate interplay between tumor cells, stroma, inflammatory cells and platelets opening up new avenues of research linking different pathophysiological mechanisms in a more complex network.

Goal. This Research Topic aims to report ongoing advancement on the role of the eicosanoids in the development and progression of different tumors. Findings should provide insights into how these bioactive lipids can influence cell transformation, tumor formation and metastasis, and elucidate the therapeutic implications and effects afforded by modulating eicosanoid synthetic or signaling pathways.
Scope. The aim of this Frontiers Research Topic is to gather new information from relevant preclinical
and clinical studies on the role of eicosanoids in different types of cancer, with particular emphasis on
new diagnostic and prognostic markers and novel therapeutic interventions targeting these lipid
mediators.

Details for Authors:
The present Research Topic welcomes high-quality Original Research as well as Review articles
providing:
• Mechanistic insight of the role of eicosanoids on tumor development including initiation, promotion,
invasion and metastasis;
• Novel in vitro/in vivo approaches targeting eicosanoids for cancer chemoprevention/cancer treatment
using animal or human studies;
• Eicosanoids as new biomarkers for diagnostics and prognoses;
• Drug delivery systems targeting eicosanoids for cancer treatment;
• Synergistic effects of compounds targeting eicosanoids with existing chemotherapeutic drugs,
targeted and immunotherapies;
• Drug resistance mechanisms in cancer mediated by eicosanoids.