Special issue: Extracellular matrix: Therapeutic tools and targets in cancer treatment.

摘要: Extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents play not only structural roles during development and tissue homeostasis, but also many biological functions throughout life. Molecular diversity a vast interactome provide the basis for this multi-functionality. Moreover, native or processed ECM molecules interact with various receptors, thereby activating signaling pathways that control cell differentiation, proliferation, adhesion migration, all relevant to tumor biology. Thus, there is an emerging field focused on exploiting components as novel therapeutic targets in treatment of cancer other diseases, providing potent tools advance drug delivery penetration. In special issue we critical appraisal focusing on: 1) proteins (matricellular proteins, collagen, elastin, fibronectin, proteoglycans), integrins, protease-facilitated delivery; 2) ECM-derived therapeutics (hyaluronan, heparin, heparan sulfate), 3) ECM-like biomaterials, 4) determinant efficacy, emphasis applications treatment.