AUTHOR=Fromme Julia E. , Zigrino Paola TITLE=The Role of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Skin Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-biosciences/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2022.864302 DOI=10.3389/fmolb.2022.864302 ISSN=2296-889X ABSTRACT=

The extracellular matrix remodeling in the skin results from a delicate balance of synthesis and degradation of matrix components, ensuring tissue homeostasis. These processes are altered during tumor invasion and growth, generating a microenvironment that supports growth, invasion, and metastasis. Apart from the cellular component, the tumor microenvironment is rich in extracellular matrix components and bound factors that provide structure and signals to the tumor and stromal cells. The continuous remodeling in the tissue compartment sustains the developing tumor during the various phases providing matrices and proteolytic enzymes. These are produced by cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts. In addition to fostering tumor growth, the expression of specific extracellular matrix proteins and proteinases supports tumor invasion after the initial therapeutic response. Lately, the expression and structural modification of matrices were also associated with therapeutic resistance. This review will focus on the significant alterations in the extracellular matrix components and the function of metalloproteinases that influence skin cancer progression and support the acquisition of therapeutic resistance.