Extracellular Matrices (ECMs) are dynamic 3D-complex macromolecular networks providing the structural integrity of tissues. ECM macromolecules, on the other hand, play key regulatory roles in gene expression, cell signaling and functions in tissue properties affecting human pathophysiology. Cell-matrix interactions and matrix remodeling are crucial for development, tissue regeneration, as well as disease development and progression.
ECM as a regulatory partner in tissue homeostasis, cancer development and progression, is an emerging field of research, and expression of matrix macromolecules and the structural integrity of ECM are significantly altered in cancer. Research in the field is focused not only to the extracellularly secreted macromolecules, but also key intracellular, pericellular and basement membrane molecules.
Advances in research related to the extracellular matrix during the last years have shown the implication of ECM macromolecules in cancer growth and progression. Several ECM effectors could be useful potential markers for diagnostic purposes as well for pharmacological targeting of cancer. Accumulative knowledge has also demonstrated that apart from their action at a cellular level, ECM effectors within their interaction networks could be useful modern biotechnological tools for drug delivery and targeted therapies. Considering this, recent research in this area will improve our understanding on the underlying mechanisms involved in cancer development and progression and aid in the development of novel diagnostic tools for and ECM-based molecular targeting.
In this Research Topic, we invite authors to submit high-quality Original Research, Review, General Commentary and Perspective articles focused on cancer development, propagation and progression, related to the following:
- ECM molecular targets in cancer with focus on their roles in cell signaling and cellular functions (proliferation, differentiation, migration, morphology, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, autophagy, etc).
- Pharmacological targeting/treatment approaches, as well as bioengineering, such as drug delivery, ECM-based scaffolds and targeted therapies.
- ECM macromolecules such as the proteoglycan families, the glycosaminoglycans, the various collagen types, the cell-matrix mediators integrins and cell-matrix related receptors, such as CD44 and DDRs, the major matrix-related proteins/glycoproteins, the matrix-degrading and modifying enzymes
- ECM network targeting and bioinformatic matrisome approaches
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Extracellular Matrices (ECMs) are dynamic 3D-complex macromolecular networks providing the structural integrity of tissues. ECM macromolecules, on the other hand, play key regulatory roles in gene expression, cell signaling and functions in tissue properties affecting human pathophysiology. Cell-matrix interactions and matrix remodeling are crucial for development, tissue regeneration, as well as disease development and progression.
ECM as a regulatory partner in tissue homeostasis, cancer development and progression, is an emerging field of research, and expression of matrix macromolecules and the structural integrity of ECM are significantly altered in cancer. Research in the field is focused not only to the extracellularly secreted macromolecules, but also key intracellular, pericellular and basement membrane molecules.
Advances in research related to the extracellular matrix during the last years have shown the implication of ECM macromolecules in cancer growth and progression. Several ECM effectors could be useful potential markers for diagnostic purposes as well for pharmacological targeting of cancer. Accumulative knowledge has also demonstrated that apart from their action at a cellular level, ECM effectors within their interaction networks could be useful modern biotechnological tools for drug delivery and targeted therapies. Considering this, recent research in this area will improve our understanding on the underlying mechanisms involved in cancer development and progression and aid in the development of novel diagnostic tools for and ECM-based molecular targeting.
In this Research Topic, we invite authors to submit high-quality Original Research, Review, General Commentary and Perspective articles focused on cancer development, propagation and progression, related to the following:
- ECM molecular targets in cancer with focus on their roles in cell signaling and cellular functions (proliferation, differentiation, migration, morphology, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, autophagy, etc).
- Pharmacological targeting/treatment approaches, as well as bioengineering, such as drug delivery, ECM-based scaffolds and targeted therapies.
- ECM macromolecules such as the proteoglycan families, the glycosaminoglycans, the various collagen types, the cell-matrix mediators integrins and cell-matrix related receptors, such as CD44 and DDRs, the major matrix-related proteins/glycoproteins, the matrix-degrading and modifying enzymes
- ECM network targeting and bioinformatic matrisome approaches
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.