Biography
Biography: Pavol Szabo
Abstract
The incidence of melanoma is increasing globally and curability of advanced disease is still limited. Similarly, to other types of tumors, the microenvironment is an important factor participating in the control of melanoma biological behavior. The principal cell populations of melanoma microenvironment include cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), keratinocytes, tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, endothelia of newly formed vessels and also, the composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) must be taken into account in this context. The CAFs produce various types of extracellular matrix proteins and a wide panel of cytokines/chemokines and growth factors such as IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL-1. CAFs isolated from melanoma stimulate aggressive behavior of tumor cells. Effect of CAF on other types of cells present in melanoma was also well documented. From this point of view, CAFs as the key factor of melanoma microenvironment represent a potential target for a new type of anti-tumor therapy.