bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Dec. 22, 2023
Spatial
transcriptomics
is
revolutionising
the
exploration
of
intratissue
heterogeneity
in
cancer,
yet
capturing
cellular
niches
and
their
spatial
relationships
remains
challenging.
We
introduce
SpottedPy,
a
Python
package
designed
to
identify
tumour
hotspots
map
interactions
within
cancer
ecosystem.
Using
we
examine
epithelial-mesenchymal
plasticity
breast
highlight
stable
associated
with
angiogenic
hypoxic
regions,
shielded
by
CAFs
macrophages.
Hybrid
mesenchymal
hotspot
distribution
followed
transformation
gradients
reflecting
progressive
immunosuppression.
Our
method
offers
flexibility
explore
at
different
scales,
from
immediate
neighbours
broader
tissue
modules,
providing
new
insights
into
microenvironment
dynamics.
Cell Communication and Signaling,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
22(1)
Published: May 3, 2024
Abstract
Cancer’s
complexity
is
in
part
due
to
the
presence
of
intratumor
heterogeneity
and
dynamic
nature
cancer
cell
plasticity,
which
create
substantial
obstacles
effective
management.
Variability
within
a
tumor
arises
from
existence
diverse
populations
cells,
impacting
progression,
spread,
resistance
treatments.
At
core
this
variability
concept
cellular
plasticity
-
intrinsic
ability
cells
alter
their
molecular
identity
reaction
environmental
genetic
changes.
This
adaptability
cornerstone
cancer’s
persistence
making
it
formidable
target
for
Emerging
studies
have
emphasized
critical
role
such
fostering
diversity,
turn
influences
course
disease
effectiveness
therapeutic
strategies.
The
transformative
involves
network
signal
transduction
pathways,
notably
those
that
drive
epithelial-to-mesenchymal
transition
metabolic
remodeling,
shaping
evolutionary
path
cells.
Despite
advancements,
our
understanding
precise
machinations
signaling
networks
driving
these
changes
still
evolving,
underscoring
necessity
further
research.
editorial
presents
series
entitled
“Signaling
Cancer
Cell
Plasticity
Intratumor
Heterogeneity”
Communication
Signaling,
dedicated
unraveling
complex
processes
proposing
new
avenues
intervention.
Frontiers in Immunology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16
Published: Feb. 6, 2025
Cancer
stem
cells
(CSCs)
are
a
small
subset
within
the
tumor
mass
significantly
contributing
to
cancer
progression
through
dysregulation
of
various
oncogenic
pathways,
driving
growth,
chemoresistance
and
metastasis
formation.
The
aggressive
behavior
CSCs
is
guided
by
several
intracellular
signaling
pathways
such
as
WNT,
NF-kappa-B,
NOTCH,
Hedgehog,
JAK-STAT,
PI3K/AKT1/MTOR,
TGF/SMAD,
PPAR
MAPK
kinases,
well
extracellular
vesicles
exosomes,
molecules
cytokines,
chemokines,
pro-angiogenetic
growth
factors,
which
finely
regulate
CSC
phenotype.
In
this
scenario,
microenvironment
(TME)
key
player
in
establishment
permissive
niche,
where
engage
intricate
communications
with
diverse
immune
cells.
"oncogenic"
mainly
represented
B
T
lymphocytes,
NK
cells,
dendritic
Among
macrophages
exhibit
more
plastic
adaptable
phenotype
due
their
different
subpopulations,
characterized
both
immunosuppressive
inflammatory
phenotypes.
Specifically,
tumor-associated
(TAMs)
create
an
milieu
production
plethora
paracrine
factors
(IL-6,
IL-12,
TNF-alpha,
TGF-beta,
CCL1,
CCL18)
promoting
acquisition
stem-like,
invasive
metastatic
TAMs
have
demonstrated
ability
communicate
via
direct
ligand/receptor
(such
CD90/CD11b,
LSECtin/BTN3A3,
EPHA4/Ephrin)
interaction.
On
other
hand,
exhibited
capacity
influence
creating
favorable
for
progression.
Interestingly,
bidirectional
TME
leads
epigenetic
reprogramming
sustains
malignant
transformation.
Nowadays,
integration
biological
computational
data
obtained
cutting-edge
technologies
(single-cell
RNA
sequencing,
spatial
transcriptomics,
trajectory
analysis)
has
improved
comprehension
biunivocal
multicellular
dialogue,
providing
comprehensive
view
heterogeneity
dynamics
CSCs,
uncovering
alternative
mechanisms
evasion
therapeutic
resistance.
Moreover,
combination
biology
will
lead
development
innovative
target
therapies
dampening
CSC-TME
Here,
we
aim
elucidate
most
recent
insights
on
complex
interactions
specifically
TAMs,
tracing
exhaustive
scenario
from
primary
Frontiers in Immunology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15
Published: Feb. 22, 2024
Gastric
cancer
(GC)
is
a
malignant
neoplasm
originating
from
the
epithelial
cells
of
gastric
mucosa.
The
pathogenesis
GC
intricately
linked
to
tumor
microenvironment
within
which
reside.
Tumor-associated
macrophages
(TAMs)
primarily
differentiate
peripheral
blood
monocytes
and
can
be
broadly
categorized
into
M1
M2
subtypes.
M2-type
TAMs
have
been
shown
promote
growth,
tissue
remodeling,
angiogenesis.
Furthermore,
they
actively
suppress
acquired
immunity,
leading
poorer
prognosis
reduced
tolerance
chemotherapy.
Exosomes,
contain
myriad
biologically
active
molecules
including
lipids,
proteins,
mRNA,
noncoding
RNAs,
emerged
as
key
mediators
communication
between
TAMs.
exchange
these
via
exosomes
markedly
influence
consequently
impact
progression.
Recent
studies
elucidated
correlation
various
clinicopathological
parameters
GC,
such
size,
differentiation,
infiltration
depth,
lymph
node
metastasis,
TNM
staging,
highlighting
pivotal
role
in
development
metastasis.
In
this
review,
we
aim
comprehensively
examine
bidirectional
TAMs,
implications
alterations
on
immune
escape,
invasion,
metastasis
targeted
therapeutic
approaches
for
efficacy
potential
drug
resistance
strategies.
International Journal of Oncology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
64(6)
Published: April 30, 2024
Tumor‑associated
macrophages
(TAMs)
are
essential
components
of
the
tumor
microenvironment
(TME)
and
display
phenotypic
heterogeneity
plasticity
associated
with
stimulation
bioactive
molecules
within
TME.
TAMs
predominantly
exhibit
tumor‑promoting
phenotypes
involved
in
progression,
such
as
angiogenesis,
metastasis,
immunosuppression
resistance
to
therapies.
In
addition,
have
potential
regulate
cytotoxic
elimination
phagocytosis
cancer
cells
interact
other
immune
engage
innate
adaptive
systems.
this
context,
targeting
has
been
a
popular
area
research
therapy,
comprehensive
understanding
complex
role
progression
exploration
macrophage‑based
therapeutic
approaches
for
future
therapeutics
against
cancers.
The
present
review
provided
updated
overview
function
summarized
recent
advances
TAM‑targeting
strategies
discussed
obstacles
perspectives
therapies
Critical Reviews™ in Oncogenesis,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
29(4), P. 97 - 125
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Tumor-associated
macrophages
(TAMs)
are
the
predominant
cell
infiltrate
in
immunosuppressive
tumor
microenvironment
(TME).
TAMs
central
to
fostering
pro-inflammatory
conditions,
growth,
metastasis,
and
inhibiting
therapy
responses.
Many
cancer
patients
innately
refractory
chemotherapy
or
develop
resistance
following
initial
treatments.
There
is
a
clinical
correlation
between
level
of
TME
chemoresistance.
Hence,
pivotal
role
contributing
chemoresistance
has
garnered
significant
attention
toward
targeting
reverse
this
resistance.
A
prerequisite
for
such
an
approach
requires
thorough
understanding
various
underlying
mechanisms
by
which
inhibit
response
chemotherapeutic
drugs.
Such
include
enhancing
drug
efflux,
regulating
metabolism
detoxification,
supporting
stem
(CSCs)
resistance,
promoting
epithelial-mesenchymal
transition
(EMT),
penetration
its
metabolism,
stimulating
angiogenesis,
impacting
inhibitory
STAT3/NF-κB
survival
pathways,
releasing
specific
cytokines
including
TGF-β
IL-10.
Accordingly,
several
strategies
have
been
developed
overcome
TAM-modulated
These
novel
therapies
that
aim
deplete
TAMs,
repolarize
them
anti-tumor
M1-like
phenotype,
block
recruitment
monocytes
into
TME.
Current
results
from
TAM-targeted
treatments
unimpressive;
however,
use
combination
appears
promising
with
radiotherapy,
chemotherapy,
chemokine
receptor
inhibitors,
immunotherapy,
loaded
nanoparticles.
The
limitations
these
discussed.
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
10
Published: Feb. 10, 2023
Chronic
liver
diseases
from
varying
etiologies
generally
lead
to
fibrosis
and
cirrhosis.
Among
them,
non-alcoholic
fatty
disease
(NAFLD)
affects
roughly
one-quarter
of
the
world
population,
thus
representing
a
major
increasing
public
health
burden.
hepatocyte
injury,
inflammation
(non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis,
NASH)
are
recognized
soils
for
primary
cancer,
particularly
hepatocellular
carcinoma
(HCC),
being
third
most
common
cause
cancer-related
deaths
worldwide.
Despite
recent
advances
in
understanding,
therapeutic
options
on
pre-malignant
malignant
stages
remain
limited.
Thus,
there
is
an
urgent
need
identify
targetable
disease-driving
mechanisms
development
novel
therapeutics.
Monocytes
macrophages
comprise
central,
yet
versatile
component
inflammatory
response,
fueling
chronic
initiation
progression.
Recent
proteomic
transcriptomic
studies
performed
at
singular
cell
levels
revealed
previously
overlooked
diversity
macrophage
subpopulations
functions.
Indeed,
that
encompass
resident
(also
named
Kupffer
cells)
monocyte-derived
macrophages,
can
acquire
variety
phenotypes
depending
microenvironmental
cues,
exert
manifold
sometimes
contradictory
Those
functions
range
modulating
exacerbating
tissue
promoting
exaggerating
repair
(i.e.,
parenchymal
regeneration,
cancer
proliferation,
angiogenesis,
fibrosis).
Due
these
central
functions,
represent
attractive
target
treatment
diseases.
In
this
review,
we
discuss
multifaceted
contrary
roles
diseases,
with
particular
focus
NAFLD/NASH
HCC.
Moreover,
potential
approaches
targeting
macrophages.
Life,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(4), P. 443 - 443
Published: March 27, 2024
Tumor-associated
macrophages
(TAMs)
play
a
pivotal
role
in
the
tumor
microenvironment,
influencing
cancer
progression
and
contributing
to
poor
prognosis.
However,
cervical
(CC),
their
significance
involvement
are
relatively
less
studied
than
other
gynecological
cancers
such
as
ovarian
endometrial
cancer.
This
review
aims
provide
an
overview
of
TAMs,
covering
origins
phenotypes
impact
on
CC
progression,
along
with
major
TAM-targeted
therapeutic
approaches.
Furthermore,
we
advocate
for
integration
cutting-edge
research
methodologies,
single-cell
RNA
sequencing
spatial
sequencing,
enable
in-depth
comprehensive
investigations
into
TAMs
CC,
which
would
be
beneficial
leading
more
personalized
effective
immunotherapy
strategies
patients
CC.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
25(16), P. 8972 - 8972
Published: Aug. 17, 2024
Epithelial-mesenchymal
transition
(EMT)
is
a
process
in
which
an
epithelial
cell
undergoes
multiple
modifications,
acquiring
both
morphological
and
functional
characteristics
of
mesenchymal
cell.
This
dynamic
initiated
by
various
inducing
signals
that
activate
numerous
signaling
pathways,
leading
to
the
stimulation
transcription
factors.
EMT
plays
significant
role
cancer
progression,
such
as
metastasis
tumor
heterogeneity,
well
drug
resistance.
In
this
article,
we
studied
molecular
mechanisms,
epigenetic
regulation,
cellular
plasticity
EMT,
microenvironmental
factors
influencing
process.
We
included
vivo
vitro
models
investigation
clinical
implications
use
curing
oncological
patients
targeting
its
therapies.
Additionally,
review
concludes
with
future
directions
challenges
wide
field
EMT.