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Inflammation and Tumor Progression: Signaling Pathways and Targeted Intervention 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2023) | Viewed by 8853

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Guest Editor
Department of Bioinformatics & Biosystems, Korea Polytechnics 398, Sujeong-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: triple negative breast cancer; acetylation; anti-tumor drug; resistancy; natural compounds
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death despite remarkable advances in diagnostics and therapy represented by targeted treatments in recent decades. Multi-faceted approaches and better access are further required for complicated tumor patients. One such approach is therapeutic intervention targeting the signaling network formed between the cancer and inflammatory-related immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. A tumor is formed as a result of chronic inflammation that promotes malignant cellular transformation. Tumor cells are influenced by the surrounding tumor microenvironment; several pro-inflammatory mediators and chemokines have been shown to participate in tumorigenesis, even in its pleiotropic roles in biological processes. Therefore, immunological modulation of cytokine-mediated inflammation has been determined in malignant tumors, and it has shown tumor immune evasion.

This Special Issue aims to collect recent topics and aspects of cross-talk between tumor and inflammatory immune cells. In addition, it will discuss the relationship between metastasis and its drug resistance to anti-cancer agents. The knowledge developed may finally lead to breakthroughs in treating chronic and complicated tumor cells. We welcome experts in this field to contribute with original research, mini and full reviews, and perspectives.

Dr. Sunga Choi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • tumor microenvironment
  • cancer progression and metastasis
  • inflammatory-related immune cells in the tumor microenvironment
  • signal transduction in cancer cells
  • drug resistance
  • potential agents causing epigenetic modification
  • epithelial–mesenchymal transition and agents leading reverse EMT
  • receptor blockers

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2394 KiB  
Article
Serum CXCL5 Detects Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Indicates Tumor Progression
by Alena Laschtowitz, Joeri Lambrecht, Tobias Puengel, Frank Tacke and Raphael Mohr
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5295; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065295 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2210
Abstract
Chemokines or chemotactic cytokines play a pivotal role in the immune pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, comprehensive cytokine profiling data across different etiologies of liver diseases are lacking. Chemokines might serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In our study, [...] Read more.
Chemokines or chemotactic cytokines play a pivotal role in the immune pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, comprehensive cytokine profiling data across different etiologies of liver diseases are lacking. Chemokines might serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In our study, we analyzed serum concentrations of 12 inflammation-related chemokines in a cohort of patients (n = 222) with cirrhosis of different etiologies and/or HCC. We compared 97 patients with cirrhosis and treatment-naïve HCC to the chemokine profile of 125 patients with cirrhosis but confirmed absence of HCC. Nine out of twelve chemokines were significantly elevated in sera of cirrhotic patients with HCC compared to HCC-free cirrhosis controls (CCL2, CCL11, CCL17, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11). Among those, CXCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were significantly elevated in patients with early HCC according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages 0/A compared to cirrhotic controls without HCC. In patients with HCC, CXCL5 serum levels were associated with tumor progression, and levels of CCL20 and CXCL8 with macrovascular invasion. Importantly, our study identified CXCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10 as universal HCC markers, independent from underlying etiology of cirrhosis. In conclusion, regardless of the underlying liver disease, patients with cirrhosis share an HCC-specific chemokine profile. CXCL5 may serve as a diagnostic biomarker in cirrhotic patients for early HCC detection as well as for tumor progression. Full article
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Review

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48 pages, 3346 KiB  
Review
The Killer’s Web: Interconnection between Inflammation, Epigenetics and Nutrition in Cancer
by Marisabel Mecca, Simona Picerno and Salvatore Cortellino
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052750 - 27 Feb 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
Inflammation is a key contributor to both the initiation and progression of tumors, and it can be triggered by genetic instability within tumors, as well as by lifestyle and dietary factors. The inflammatory response plays a critical role in the genetic and epigenetic [...] Read more.
Inflammation is a key contributor to both the initiation and progression of tumors, and it can be triggered by genetic instability within tumors, as well as by lifestyle and dietary factors. The inflammatory response plays a critical role in the genetic and epigenetic reprogramming of tumor cells, as well as in the cells that comprise the tumor microenvironment. Cells in the microenvironment acquire a phenotype that promotes immune evasion, progression, and metastasis. We will review the mechanisms and pathways involved in the interaction between tumors, inflammation, and nutrition, the limitations of current therapies, and discuss potential future therapeutic approaches. Full article
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16 pages, 1114 KiB  
Review
Biofilm and Cancer: Interactions and Future Directions for Cancer Therapy
by Euna Choi, Ben Murray and Sunga Choi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12836; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612836 - 16 Aug 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3578
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the significant role of bacterial biofilms in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cancer. Biofilms are polymicrobial communities enclosed within an extracellular matrix composed of polysaccharides, proteins, extracellular DNA, and lipids. This complex matrix [...] Read more.
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the significant role of bacterial biofilms in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cancer. Biofilms are polymicrobial communities enclosed within an extracellular matrix composed of polysaccharides, proteins, extracellular DNA, and lipids. This complex matrix provides protection against antibiotics and host immune responses, enabling the microorganisms to establish persistent infections. Moreover, biofilms induce anti-inflammatory responses and metabolic changes in the host, further facilitating their survival. Many of these changes are comparable to those observed in cancer cells. This review will cover recent research on the role of bacterial biofilms in carcinogenesis, especially in colorectal (CRC) and gastric cancers, emphasizing the shared physical and chemical characteristics of biofilms and cancer. This review will also discuss the interactions between bacteria and the tumor microenvironment, which can facilitate oncogene expression and cancer progression. This information will provide insight into developing new therapies to identify and treat biofilm-associated cancers, such as utilizing bacteria as delivery vectors, using bacteria to upregulate immune function, or more selectively targeting biofilms and cancer for their shared traits. Full article
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