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The Tumor Microenvironment of Pediatric Sarcoma: Mesenchymal Mechanisms Regulating Cell Migration and Metastasis

Monika Ehnman1,2, Wiem Chaabane3,4, Felix Haglund3

  • 1Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. monika.ehnman@ki.se.

Current Oncology Reports
|August 17, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This review explores tumor microenvironment and metastasis in pediatric sarcomas. It highlights molecular pathways controlling cell plasticity and mesenchymal biology, crucial for understanding tumor spread.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Cancer Metastasis
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment in pediatric cancers remains under-researched.
  • Pediatric sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors presenting significant treatment challenges, including local recurrence and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review regulatory molecules influencing tumor microenvironmental properties and metastasis in pediatric sarcomas.
  • To prioritize signaling pathways governing mesenchymal biology in pediatric bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on tumor microenvironment and metastasis in pediatric sarcomas.
  • Analysis of deregulated genes related to cell adhesion, migration, and dissemination.
  • Discussion of mesenchymal phenotype and its relation to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Main Results:

  • Identified key deregulated genes involved in cell adhesion, migration, and tumor cell dissemination.
  • Explored the role of cell plasticity in pediatric tumor behavior and metastasis.
  • Discussed the involvement of mesenchymal biology in pediatric sarcomas and its link to metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding molecular pathways in pediatric sarcoma metastasis is critical.
  • Further investigation into tumor-regulatory properties of non-malignant cells and structural components is warranted.
  • Cell plasticity is an emerging concept impacting pediatric tumor behavior and treatment strategies.
Keywords:
CXCR4EMTEwing sarcomaExtracellular matrixMETMetastasisOsteosarcomaPDGFPediatric sarcomaRhabdomyosarcomaStromaTGFβTumor microenvironment

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