Unraveling Tumor Metastasis: Investigating the Tumor Microenvironment and Novel In-vitro Models for Understanding Cancer Progression

Tumor metastasis is a huge problem. A tumor could be surgically removed but if it invades secondary organs, it is extremely hard to treat and most often result in the death of cancer patients. It is therefore important to understand the key steps in metastasis. Of particular interest to this journal is studying the tumor microenvironment. A favorable tumor environment allows tumor cells to escape the primary site and invade other vital organs.

The tumor microenvironment remains an area that is not been thoroughly explored. This includes the function of the extracellular matrix, key signaling pathways, and above all, in-vitro assays for detailed analysis and study of cancer cell migration and invasion. The big question is can we engineer a favorable in-vitro environment for cancer cells to invade? and use this model to understand key signaling cascades involved in the process. Understanding novel mechanisms of tumor metastasis using unique in-vitro and in-vivo models is a need of the day.

The topic welcomes, but is not limited to, Original Research, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews in the following research areas:

• Novel mechanisms of tumor metastasis
• Tumor growth and metastasis
• Chemotherapy and chemoresistance
• 3D models mimicking the tumor microenvironment to study cancer cell metastasis
• The microenvironment in cancer cell metastasis
• Experimental models of tumor metastasis