Browsing by Subject "Cancer microenvironment"

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    Ecology of melanoma cell
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2018) Lacina, Lukáš; Kodet, Ondřej; Dvořánková, Barbora; Szabo, Pavol; Smetana Jr, Karel
    Melanoma represents a cancer with increasing incidence worldwide and limited curability of advanced stages of the disease. Similarly to other types of tumors, the microenvironment is an important factor that participates in the control of melanoma biological properties. This review summarizes data regarding the role of the microenvironment, namely fibroblasts, keratinocytes and infiltrating immune cells, on melanoma growth and spreading. The role of embryonic microenvironment on melanoma cell biological properties is also discussed. The potential of therapeutic targeting of the melanoma microenvironment is demonstrated.
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    Interleukin-6: a molecule with complex biological impact in cancer
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2019) Lacina, Lukáš; Brábek, Jan; Král, Vladimír; Kodet, Ondřej; Smetana Jr, Karel
    Interleukin-6 is a multifaceted cytokine, usually reported as a pro-inflammatory molecule. However, certain anti-inflammatory activities were also attributed to IL-6. The levels of IL-6 in serum as well as in other biological fluids are elevated in an agedependent manner. Notably, it is consistently reported also as a key feature of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. In the elderly, this cytokine participates in the initiation of catabolism resulting in, e.g. sarcopenia. It can cross the blood-brain barrier, and so it is in causal association with, e.g. depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anorexia. In the cancer patient, IL-6 is produced by cancer and stromal cells and actively participates in their crosstalk. IL-6 supports tumour growth and metastasising in terminal patients, and it significantly engages in cancer cachexia (including anorexia) and depression associated with malignancy. The pharmacological treatment impairing IL-6 signalling represents a potential mechanism of antitumour therapy targeting cancer growth, metastatic spread, metabolic deterioration and terminal cachexia in patients.