Exploring the Complexity of Cutaneous Squamous CellCarcinoma Microenvironment: Focus on Immune Cell Roles by Novel 3D...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), is the most common cancer globally.
• cSCC is an aggressive cancer with high metastatic potential, influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME).
• Immune cells like T cells, macrophages (TAMs), and dendritic cells play crucial roles in cSCC progression, immune evasion, and treatment resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review regulatory mechanisms within the cSCC immune TME.
• To explore the roles of cytokines, immune checkpoints, and stromal interactions in cSCC.
• To discuss the utility of 3D in vitro models for studying immune-tumor interactions in cSCC.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of immune TME regulatory mechanisms in cSCC.
• Analysis of the roles of cytokines, immune checkpoints, and stromal interactions.
• Evaluation of 3D in vitro models (spheroids, organoids, tumor-on-chip) for mimicking cSCC immune-tumor dynamics.

Main Results:

• The immune TME significantly impacts cSCC development, progression, and metastasis.
• 3D models provide higher physiological relevance for studying immune cell functions like macrophage activation against cSCC.
• These models facilitate immunotherapy screening and mechanistic investigations.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the cSCC immune landscape is critical for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• Advanced 3D models are valuable tools for dissecting complex immune-tumor interactions.
• Further research using these models holds significant clinical potential for improving cSCC treatment.