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Review
. 2020 Apr 1;12(4):857.
doi: 10.3390/cancers12040857.

Tunneling Nanotubes and Tumor Microtubes in Cancer

Cora Roehlecke  1 , Mirko H H Schmidt  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Tunneling Nanotubes and Tumor Microtubes in Cancer

Cora Roehlecke et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Intercellular communication among cancer cells and their microenvironment is crucial to disease progression. The mechanisms by which communication occurs between distant cells in a tumor matrix remain poorly understood. In the last two decades, experimental evidence from different groups proved the existence of thin membranous tubes that interconnect cells, named tunneling nanotubes, tumor microtubes, cytonemes or membrane bridges. These highly dynamic membrane protrusions are conduits for direct cell-to-cell communication, particularly for intercellular signaling and transport of cellular cargo over long distances. Tunneling nanotubes and tumor microtubes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. They may contribute to the resistance of tumor cells against treatments such as surgery, radio- and chemotherapy. In this review, we present the current knowledge about the structure and function of tunneling nanotubes and tumor microtubes in cancer and discuss the therapeutic potential of membrane tubes in cancer treatment.

Keywords: cancer cell biology; intercellular communication; intercellular transfer; tumor microenvironment; tumor microtubes (TMs); tunneling nanotubes (TNTs).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic illustration of gliomal network, the neuronal network, and their interconnectivity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Functions of TNTs/TMs in cancer. TNTs/TMs are critically involved in tumor initiation, growth, progression, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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