Mast cells as therapeutic target in cancer.
Mast cells promote tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and have functions that favor the host. Increased mast cell number correlates with a poor prognosis in several human tumors. In different vascular tumors, as well as a number of hematological and solid tumors, mast cell accumulation correlate with increased neovascularization, tumor aggressiveness, and metastatic spread. Mast cells might act as a new target for the adjuvant treatment of tumors through the selective inhibition of angiogenesis, tissue remodeling and tumor-promoting molecules, permitting the secretion of cytotoxic cytokines and preventing mast cell-mediated immune suppression.
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy. Electronic address: domenico.ribatti@uniba.it.
Domenico
D
Ribatti
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
Anticancer agents; Mast cells; Tryptase; Tumor growth; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors