Extracellular Matrix in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Cancer Therapy
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Motility and Adhesion".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 13231
Special Issue Editors
Interests: ovarian cancer; chemoresistance; metastasis; tumor-stroma interaction; tumor microenvironment; collagen; cancer-associated fibroblasts; biomarkers; targeted therapy
Interests: hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway; metastasis; epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE); melanoma; breast cancer; tumor microenvironment; ECM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major structural component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and comprised of a network of biochemically distinct components, including fibrous proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and polysaccharides. The ECM is a highly dynamic structure, constantly undergoing a remodeling process where ECM components are deposited, degraded, or modified. In cancer, abnormal ECM dynamics are caused by alterations in ECM synthesis and secretion as well as the expression or function of matrix-remodeling enzymes. Tumor ECM is mechanically and biochemically distinct in composition then normal ECM.
Increasing evidence suggests that ECM proteins establish a physical and biochemical niche for cancer cells and cancer stem cells to promote tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Dense and stiff ECM exerts mechanical forces on cancer cells activating signaling cascades that promote proliferation, survival, motility, and therapeutic resistance. Stiff ECM can also promote an immunosuppressive TME and physically protect cancer cells from immune cell attack and cytotoxic drugs. Stiff linear collagen fibers serve as fast migratory tracks for stromal cells and cancer cells. Thus, to develop novel therapeutic strategies, it is crucial to understand the role of ECM in tumor-stroma interaction and therapeutic resistance.
This special issue of Cells aims to explore the role of the ECM in regulating cancer cells and various TME components and how it affects cancer therapy. We welcome review articles and original basic, translational, or clinical research articles. Research areas include (but are not limited to): the role of ECM molecules and ECM modifying enzymes in regulating physical and chemical properties of TME or metastatic niche; ECM regulation of cellular and molecular phenotypes of cancer cells, stoma cells, or immune cells in the TME; the role of ECM in cancer stemness; the impact of ECM on tumor-stroma interaction; molecular mechanisms by which ECM promotes therapeutic resistance; novel techniques for visualization or investigation of ECM functions in cancer in vitro or in vivo; use of ECM as a diagnostic or prognostic tool; and novel ECM-targeting therapeutic strategies for cancer.
We look forward to receiving your expert contributions.
Dr. Dong-Joo Cheon
Dr. John M. Lamar
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- extracellular matrix
- matrix remodeling
- matrix stiffness
- collagen
- MMP
- integrin
- therapy resistance
- cell migration
- immune exclusion
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.