The tumor microenvironment comprises tumor and stromal cells, immune cells, blood and lymphatic vessels, and dense extracellular matrix that provide a suitable milieu for the evolution of advanced malignancies. Soluble tumor-associated signaling molecules control tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Among soluble mediators, chemotactic factors, also known as chemoattractants, exert pro- or anti-tumorigenic functions by (i) directly regulating tumor cell proliferation and invasive capacity; (ii) recruiting immune cells, and/or (iii) modulating angiogenesis / vasculogenesis. The chemoattractant family includes a structurally heterogeneous group of molecules (e.g. Chemerin, C5a, LTB4 etc.) as well as the more homogeneous family of chemokines. Chemoattractant receptors are heptahelical transmembrane cell surface receptors typically coupled to G proteins and are best known for their ability to promote leukocyte trafficking. Stimuli produced within the tumor microenvironment affect the expression and/or function of chemoattractants, which in turn regulate tumor growth via cell-specific receptor signaling.
This Research Topic aims to gather a series of articles related to basic research on chemoattractants and translational studies investigating chemoattractants as druggable molecules in experimental tumor models. We welcome the submission of Reviews, Mini-Reviews and Original Research articles covering the following topics:
1. Molecular mechanisms regulating chemoattractant/receptor expression in the tumor microenvironment.
2. Characterization of the role of chemoattractants in the regulation of primary tumor growth and of metastasis.
3. Regulation of tumor angiogenesis/vasculogenesis by chemoattractants.
4. Modulation of chemoattractants as a mechanism of tumor immune evasion.
5. Role of chemoattractants in intratumor recruitment and localization of immune effector cells.
6. Activation or inhibition of chemoattractant signaling in experimental cancer immunotherapy.
The tumor microenvironment comprises tumor and stromal cells, immune cells, blood and lymphatic vessels, and dense extracellular matrix that provide a suitable milieu for the evolution of advanced malignancies. Soluble tumor-associated signaling molecules control tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Among soluble mediators, chemotactic factors, also known as chemoattractants, exert pro- or anti-tumorigenic functions by (i) directly regulating tumor cell proliferation and invasive capacity; (ii) recruiting immune cells, and/or (iii) modulating angiogenesis / vasculogenesis. The chemoattractant family includes a structurally heterogeneous group of molecules (e.g. Chemerin, C5a, LTB4 etc.) as well as the more homogeneous family of chemokines. Chemoattractant receptors are heptahelical transmembrane cell surface receptors typically coupled to G proteins and are best known for their ability to promote leukocyte trafficking. Stimuli produced within the tumor microenvironment affect the expression and/or function of chemoattractants, which in turn regulate tumor growth via cell-specific receptor signaling.
This Research Topic aims to gather a series of articles related to basic research on chemoattractants and translational studies investigating chemoattractants as druggable molecules in experimental tumor models. We welcome the submission of Reviews, Mini-Reviews and Original Research articles covering the following topics:
1. Molecular mechanisms regulating chemoattractant/receptor expression in the tumor microenvironment.
2. Characterization of the role of chemoattractants in the regulation of primary tumor growth and of metastasis.
3. Regulation of tumor angiogenesis/vasculogenesis by chemoattractants.
4. Modulation of chemoattractants as a mechanism of tumor immune evasion.
5. Role of chemoattractants in intratumor recruitment and localization of immune effector cells.
6. Activation or inhibition of chemoattractant signaling in experimental cancer immunotherapy.
