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Stromal Cells Present in the Melanoma Niche Affect Tumor Invasiveness and Its Resistance to Therapy
Justyna Mazurkiewicz1, Aleksandra Simiczyjew1, Ewelina Dratkiewicz1
1Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma is a highly metastatic type of cancer, which arises frequently from transformed pigment cells and melanocytes as a result of long-term UV radiation exposure. In recent years, the incidence of newly diagnosed melanoma patients reached 5% of all cancer cases. Despite the development of novel targeted therapies directed against melanoma-specific markers, patients' response to treatment is often weak or short-term due to a rapid acquisition of drug resistance. Among the factors affecting therapy effectiveness, elements of the tumor microenvironment play a major role. Melanoma niche encompasses adjacent cells, such as keratinocytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), adipocytes, and immune cells, as well as components of the extracellular matrix and tumor-specific physicochemical properties. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the influence of cancer-associated cells (keratinocytes, CAFs, adipocytes) on the process of melanomagenesis, tumor progression, invasiveness, and the emergence of drug resistance in melanoma. We also address how melanoma can alter the differentiation and activation status of cells present in the tumor microenvironment. Understanding these complex interactions between malignant and cancer-associated cells could improve the development of effective antitumor therapeutic strategies.
Insights
This review explores how non-cancerous cells in the tumor microenvironment, like keratinocytes and fibroblasts, influence melanoma development and drug resistance. Understanding these interactions is key to developing better melanoma treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment Research
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is a significant cancer, with incidence reaching 5% of all cancer cases.
- Current targeted therapies for melanoma often face limited efficacy due to rapid drug resistance.
- The tumor microenvironment significantly impacts melanoma progression and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of cancer-associated cells within the tumor microenvironment in melanoma.
- To explore how these cells influence melanomagenesis, tumor progression, invasiveness, and drug resistance.
- To understand melanoma's impact on the differentiation and activation of microenvironment cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on melanoma and its microenvironment.
- Analysis of the interactions between melanoma cells and adjacent non-cancerous cells.
- Synthesis of information on cellular and physicochemical components of the melanoma niche.
Main Results:
- Cancer-associated cells (keratinocytes, CAFs, adipocytes) significantly influence melanoma.
- These interactions affect melanomagenesis, tumor progression, invasiveness, and drug resistance.
- Melanoma actively alters the status of cells within its microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the complex interplay between melanoma and its associated cells is crucial.
- This knowledge can guide the development of more effective anti-melanoma therapeutic strategies.
- Targeting tumor microenvironment interactions offers a promising avenue for improving melanoma treatment outcomes.
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