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Controversial role of mast cells in skin cancers
Author(s) -
Varricchi Gilda,
Galdiero Maria R.,
Marone Giancarlo,
Granata Francescopaolo,
Borriello Francesco,
Marone Gianni
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.13107
Subject(s) - stromal cell , mast cell , skin cancer , tumor microenvironment , biology , epigenetics , merkel cell , merkel cell carcinoma , cancer research , tumor progression , melanoma , immunology , pathology , cancer , medicine , carcinoma , tumor cells , genetics , gene
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.