Controversial role of mast cells in skin cancers.
Cancer development is a multistep process characterized by genetic and epigenetic alterations during tumor initiation and progression. The stromal microenvironment can promote tumor development. Mast cells, widely distributed throughout all tissues, are a stromal component of many solid and haematologic tumors. Mast cells can be found in human and mouse models of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinomas, primary cutaneous lymphomas, haemangiomas and Merkel cell carcinoma. However, human and animal studies addressing potential functions of mast cells and their mediators in skin cancers have provided conflicting results. In several studies, mast cells play a pro-tumorigenic role, whereas in others, they play an anti-tumorigenic role. Other studies have failed to demonstrate a clear role for tumor-associated mast cells. Many unanswered questions need to be addressed before we understand whether tumor-associated mast cells are adversaries, allies or simply innocent bystanders in different types and subtypes of skin cancers.
Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DiSMeT) and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Gilda
G
Varricchi
Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DiSMeT) and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Maria R
MR
Galdiero
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Giancarlo
G
Marone
Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DiSMeT) and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Francescopaolo
F
Granata
Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DiSMeT) and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Francesco
F
Borriello
Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DiSMeT) and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.|Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy.
Gianni
G
Marone
D000818:Animals; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
angiogenesis; cancer; inflammation; lymphangiogenesis; mast cells