Intercellular Communication in the Tumor Microenvironment

Dear Colleagues,

Intercellular communication plays a major role in the tumor microenvironment (TME), where cancer cells interact with various cellular components to support tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The TME consists of cancer cells, immune cells, stromal cells, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix, all of which engage in complex communication networks. Hereby, various mechanisms of cell-to-cell interaction have been described. Cancer cells can interact with neighboring cells, such as immune cells or stromal cells, through surface receptors and ligands, and thus, direct cell-to-cell contact. Additionally, tumor cells release various signaling molecules, including growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, to communicate with surrounding cells. Moreover, extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, have been described to play a crucial role in intercellular communication within the TME. These small EVs carry bioactive molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which can be transferred between cells. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) can modulate the behavior of recipient cells by delivering specific cargo, promoting angiogenesis, immune evasion, and premetastatic niche formation.

The aim of this Special Issue is to create a collection of articles fully dedicated to the complex and dynamic process of intercellular communication within the TME, which may accelerate the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the communication networks and ultimately ameliorate disease progression.

Dr. Nils Ludwig
Guest Editor

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• intercellular communication
• tumor microenvironment
• cell-to-cell interaction
• growth factors
• cytokines
• chemokines
• extracellular vesicles
• exosomes
• communication networks