Navigating Tumour Microenvironment and Wnt Signalling Crosstalk: Implications for Advanced Cancer Therapeutics
by
, ,
Shraddha Shravani Peri
1,†, 
Krithicaa Narayanaa Y
1,†,
Therese Deebiga Hubert
1,‡,
Roshini Rajaraman
1,‡,
Frank Arfuso
2,
Sandhya Sundaram
3,
B. Archana
3,
Sudha Warrier
4,
Arun Dharmarajan
1,2,5,6,* and
Lakshmi R. Perumalsamy
1,* 1
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
2
School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
3
Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
4
Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
5
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
6
Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
‡
These authors also contributed equally to this work.
Cancers 2023, 15(24), 5847; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15245847
Submission received: 27 October 2023
/
Revised: 6 December 2023
/
Accepted: 11 December 2023
/
Published: 14 December 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment and Treatment Resistance)
Simple Summary
The tumour microenvironment comprises cellular components and the extracellular matrix, which surround the core of cancer cells and play a vital role in their development. Among these components are various immune cells such as T-regulatory cells, dendritic cells, and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, as well as other cells such as adipocytes, endothelial cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), cancer stem cells, and neuroendocrine cells, among others. The Wnt signalling pathway is a central pathway involved in tumour development. This review explores the significance of Wnt signalling in the communication between cellular components within the tumour microenvironment. Understanding this signalling pathway opens up possibilities for modifying the tumour microenvironment, potentially leading to insights into tumour development and progression. Additionally, this review delves into Wnt inhibition and inhibitors and their potential application in cancer therapeutics.
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics face significant challenges due to drug resistance and tumour recurrence. The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a crucial contributor and essential hallmark of cancer. It encompasses various components surrounding the tumour, including intercellular elements, immune system cells, the vascular system, stem cells, and extracellular matrices, all of which play critical roles in tumour progression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse. These components interact with multiple signalling pathways, positively or negatively influencing cell growth. Abnormal regulation of the Wnt signalling pathway has been observed in tumorigenesis and contributes to tumour growth. A comprehensive understanding and characterisation of how different cells within the TME communicate through signalling pathways is vital. This review aims to explore the intricate and dynamic interactions, expressions, and alterations of TME components and the Wnt signalling pathway, offering valuable insights into the development of therapeutic applications.
