Metastasis-associated fibroblasts in oral squamous cell carcinoma: An illusion or a reality

Recent progress in molecular mechanisms of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatectomy is currently considered the most effective option for treating patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC remains unsatisfactory, predominantly because of high postoperative metastasis and recurrence rates. Therefore, research on the molecular mechanisms of postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence will help develop effective intervention measures to prevent or delay HCC metastasis and recurrence and to improve the long-term survival of HCC patients. Herein, we review the latest research progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence to lay a foundation for improving the understanding of HCC metastasis and recurrence and for developing more precise prevention and intervention strategies.

The prospects of nanotherapeutic approaches for targeting tumor-associated macrophages in oral cancer

OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) is currently one of the most formidable cancers plagued by challenges like low overall survivability, lymph node associated metastasis, drug resistance, and poor diagnostics. The tumor microenvironment (TME) and its constituent stromal elements are crucial modulators of tumor growth and treatment response, more specifically so with regards to resident tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and their liaison with the different stromal elements in the tumor niche (Figure 1). Interestingly, there isn't much information on TAM-targeted nanotherapy in OSCC where the first line of therapeutics for oral cancer is surgery with other therapeutics such as chemo- and radiotherapy acting only as adjuvant therapy for oral cancer. In the face of this real time situation, there have been some successful attempts at targeted therapy for OSCC cells and we believe they might elicit favorable responses against TAMs as well. Demanding our immediate attention, this review intends to provide a glimpse of the prevailing anti-TAM treatment strategies, which present great prospect for an uncharted territory like OSCC.