1
|
Moro M, Balestrero FC, Grolla AA. Pericytes: jack-of-all-trades in cancer-related inflammation. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1426033. [PMID: 39086395 PMCID: PMC11288921 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1426033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pericytes, recognized as mural cells, have long been described as components involved in blood vessel formation, playing a mere supporting role for endothelial cells (ECs). Emerging evidence strongly suggests their multifaceted roles in tissues and organs. Indeed, pericytes exhibit a remarkable ability to anticipate endothelial cell behavior and adapt their functions based on the specific cells they interact with. Pericytes can be activated by pro-inflammatory stimuli and crosstalk with immune cells, actively participating in their transmigration into blood vessels. Moreover, they can influence the immune response, often sustaining an immunosuppressive phenotype in most of the cancer types studied. In this review, we concentrate on the intricate crosstalk between pericytes and immune cells in cancer, highlighting the primary evidence regarding pericyte involvement in primary tumor mass dynamics, their contributions to tumor reprogramming for invasion and migration of malignant cells, and their role in the formation of pre-metastatic niches. Finally, we explored recent and emerging pharmacological approaches aimed at vascular normalization, including novel strategies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy through combined use with anti-angiogenic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ambra A. Grolla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sevastre AS, Costachi A, Tataranu LG, Brandusa C, Artene SA, Stovicek O, Alexandru O, Danoiu S, Sfredel V, Dricu A. Glioblastoma pharmacotherapy: A multifaceted perspective of conventional and emerging treatments (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1408. [PMID: 34676001 PMCID: PMC8524703 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its localisation, rapid onset, high relapse rate and resistance to most currently available treatment methods, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is considered to be the deadliest type of all gliomas. Although surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are among the therapeutic strategies used for the treatment of GBM, the survival rates achieved are not satisfactory, and there is an urgent need for novel effective therapeutic options. In addition to single-target therapy, multi-target therapies are currently under development. Furthermore, drugs are being optimised to improve their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In the present review, the main strategies applied for GBM treatment in terms of the most recent therapeutic agents and approaches that are currently under pre-clinical and clinical testing were discussed. In addition, the most recently reported experimental data following the testing of novel therapies, including stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, genomic correction and precision medicine, were reviewed, and their advantages and drawbacks were also summarised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ani-Simona Sevastre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Alexandra Costachi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ligia Gabriela Tataranu
- Department of Neurosurgery, ‘Bagdasar-Arseni’ Emergency Clinical Hospital, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corina Brandusa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Stefan Alexandru Artene
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Olivian Stovicek
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Nursing Targu Jiu, Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest, 210106 Targu Jiu, Romania
| | - Oana Alexandru
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Suzana Danoiu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Veronica Sfredel
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Anica Dricu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| |
Collapse
|