Dear Sirs,

We have read letter commenting [1] on our article “Mast cells and cancer: enemies or allies?” [2] with great interest and pleasure. We would like to thank the authors for sharing with us their expertise. In the literature there is large body of evidence on the role mast cells play in the development of variety of tumors. Mast cells contribution to the tumor growth via angiogenic and non-angiogenic pathways seem to be well documented; there are also reports, where correlation between MC density and angiogenesis or tumor progression where not shown, what is suggesting possible antitumor effect of mast cells. These discrepancies can only partially be explained by different methodologies applied in various studies. The tumor microenvironment is an extremely complex and dynamic system, with a numerous interrelated players: fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, inflammatory cells, extracellular matrix components and cytokines. The nature of their interactions only begins to be explained. It is conceivable that under some circumstances the components of the tumor microenvironment including mast cells may act as loyal host allies in their battle against cancer. Only with better understanding of the these relationships we may hope to get data useful for diagnosis, prognostication and possibly formulation of new therapeutic strategies.

References

1. Özdemir Ö, Dag˘og˘lu R, Goksu Erol A. Do Mast cells really play a role as cancer promoters or fighter? Pol J Pathol 2013; 64: XX.

2. Dyduch G, Kaczmarczyk K, Okoń K. Mast cells and cancer: enemies or allies? Pol J Pathol 2012; 63: 1-7.



Grzegorz Dyduch

Karolina Kaczmarczyk

Krzysztof Okoń



Department of Pathomorphology,

Jagiellonian University,

Krakow, Poland