Mast cells (MCs) are ubiquitously distributed, resident connective tissue cells. They are particularly frequent in close proximity to epithelial surfaces in the skin, the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal mucosa where they are strategically located for optimal interaction with the environment and for their putative function in host defence. MCs secrete wide range of proinflammatory, immune-modulatory and mitogenic cytokines [1].

MCs possess many properties that enable them to participate in a diverse range of biological activities. They phagocytoze, process antigens, produce cytokines and release a variety of preformed mediators (e.g., histamine, proteoglycans and proteases) and newly formed physiological mediators (e.g., leukotrienes [LTs] and prostaglandins). MCs carry an array of adhesion molecules, immune response receptors and other surface molecules, which permit them to react to multiple specific and nonspecific stimuli. These wide-ranging biological characteristics, their ubiquitous distribution and strategic location near blood vessels, nerves, inflamed tissues and neoplastic foci enable them to play a central role in a multitude of physiologic, immunologic and pathologic processes [2].

Recently, apart from their roles in the maintenance of homeostasis and in inflammation, the association of MCs with various tumours has been described. In several malignancies, mast cell density (MCD) has been found to correlate with increased risk of metastasis and poor prognosis. Currently, the exact functional relevance of MCs surrounding various tumours is being studied [3].

A systematic review of the literature was performed based on the English titles listed in the PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane, Science Direct, ISI web Science, and SciELO databases using the keywords. Abstracts and full-text articles were assessed.

Galli [4] in their review article mentioned that Paul Ehrlich (1877) was the first to describe cells in connective tissue that stained reddish purple (metachromasia) with aniline dyes. He used the term ‘mastzellen’ to describe these cells, a German term referring to feeding [4].

Galli [5] suggested that MC can also stand for master cell because of their wide anatomical distribution, sensitivity to activation by different stimuli and their ability to release a variety of mediators including cytokines.

On light microscopy, using special stains like toluidine blue and Giemsa, MCs can be appreciated as large cells with a diameter varying from 5–15 μm exhibiting heterogeneity in shape from round or oval to spindle shaped. The nucleus is small, inconspicuous and ovoid in shape and is often masked by cytoplasmic granules. The cytoplasm contains numerous coarse and dense granules, which are refractile, water soluble and exhibit metachromasia, varying in number from 50–200 (0.1–0.4 μm in diameter) (Fig. 1) [12].

MCs are normally distributed throughout the connective tissue, where they may be especially numerous beneath the epithelial surfaces of the skin, in the respiratory system, in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, adjacent to blood or lymphatic vessels and near or within the peripheral nerves [4].

The MC is a specialized secretory cell exhibiting surface expression of high affinity IgE receptor (F_CεRI). When MCs are exposed to specific multivalent antigen or immune complexes, crosslinking of F_CεRI results in an integrated non cytolytic series of events termed ‘activation’ [13].

MCs can elaborate and secrete several biologically active compounds. Mediator release can be induced by a variety of stimuli including specific antigens, complement products, neuropeptides and many physical agents [14].

MCs both release and generate a heterogeneous group of mediators that differ in their potency and biological activities. These mediators are both pleiotropic and redundant; that is, each mediator has more than one function and mediators may overlap in their biological effects. MC-dependent mediators may be categorized into three groups: preformed secretory granule-associated mediators, lipid-derived mediators and cytokines [15].

The tumor microenvironment is regarded as a ‘smoldering’ inflammation site in which a lot of cytokines, chemokines and enzymes mediate the inflammatory process and drive malignant progression. Among them TNF-α, IL-6, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), Cox-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are of particular interest. Coincidentally, all of them can be produced by MCs. However, the tumor microenvironment is also characterized by its immunoediting from immunosurveillance to immunosuppression. MCs have been found to play a critical role in the suppression of immune reactions. They not only produce inhibitory cytokine IL-10, but they also are essential for the immune tolerance mediated by regulatory T (Treg) cells. Thus, MC infiltration into tumor may possibly remodel tumor microenvironment and profoundly influence tumor behaviour by participating and regulating inflammatory and immune reactions. Studies have shown that MCs also promote tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth because of their properties as inflammatory cells [18].

These findings provide an insight into the role of MCs in tumors and relation among inflammation, immunosuppression and tumor microenvironment.

MCs appear to be able to promote tumor development through many different ways: they could facilitate tumor angiogenesis through heparin-like molecules and heparin could further permit neovascularisation and metastases through its anti-clotting effects. Moreover, VEGF; vascular permeability factor is secreted in response to F_CεRI cross linking from mouse bone marrow-derived and human cultured MCs, as well as from human leukemic MCs. MCs also generate and secrete IL-8, which is an angiogenesis factor as well as a tumor cell chemotactic factor and tumor mitogen. MCs secrete growth factors, such as platelet derived growth factor, SCF, and nerve growth factor. They also secrete histamine that could induce tumor cell proliferation through H₁ receptors identified in human malignant carcinoma, while suppressing the immune system through H₂ receptors [19].

The role of MCs in shaping immune responses has been recently unveiled. MCs may mobilize and modulate the activity of T cells, Treg cells, antigen-presenting cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells with their soluble mediators or through cell-cell contact. Interacting with other immune cells, MC may regulate both innate and adaptive immunity, tuning the host responses toward developing cancers and influencing the clinical outcome of several tumors [20].

Dimitriadou and Koutsilieris [21] by their pooled data tried to assess the possible association between MCs and tumour progression. They suggested two hypotheses. The first refers on the possibility that the accumulation of MCs is part of a general immunological host-defence reaction since MCs have been shown to be cytotoxic for some tumours. They also considered a second possibility, in which, MC products could promote tumoural growth and metastasis. Heparin, combined to a range of heparin-binding factors such as basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) or transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), is able to promote neovascularisation and the MC proteases cause cell structural alterations and loss of the extracellular matrix integrity. The role of histamine secreted by MCs is less clear.

Kessler et al. [22] observed a strong association between tumor angiogenesis factor induced neovascularisation and increased MCD.

Norrby [23] hypothesized about mechanisms of MC mediated angiogenesis, which explained the mechanism being potent and of long duration. MC mediated angiogenesis is initiated by preformed MC mediators such as histamine and TNF-α and stimulated by newly generated MC mediators such as TNF-α, platelet activating factor, IL-8, bFGF and prostaglandins. Cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-8 produced by resident non-MCs (e.g., endothelial cells, fibroblasts and macrophages) and recruited non-MCs may stimulate additional MC secretion as well as stimulate angiogenesis themselves. The activated resident and recruited non-MCs may gradually produce extra cellular matrix degrading enzymes as well as angiogenic peptide growth factors/cytokines. He, thus concluded that MC mediated angiogenesis could be further advanced, potentiated and prolonged.

Coussens et al. [24] conducted an experiment on mice that were genetically MC deficient. The vascular density and architecture in hyperplastic epithelium of MC deficient mice was more characteristic of a quiescent vasculature and suggested that MC-derived factors, including chymase and tryptase, are involved in the early events of neoplastic progression. They concluded that in squamous carcinogenesis angiogenic regulation is biphasic. MCs are exploited by neoplastic epithelia in early lesions and act to jump-start angiogenesis by their release of several bioactive molecules, e.g. bFGF, VEGF, heparin, histamine, chymase, and tryptase. In contrast, maintenance of neovascularization within tumor stroma is MC-independent.

A positive correlation between the MC and tumor angiogenesis was found in patients with eosophageal squamous cell carcinoma by Tomita et al. [25], invasive breast carcinoma by Kwon et al. [26], patients with gastric carcinoma by Ribatti et al. [27], oral squamous cell carcinoma by Iamaroon et al. [28], and in lung carcinoma by Tomita et al. [29].

MCs play an accessory role in the degradation of extracellular matrix, the first of a series of linked sequential steps for a tumor to establish successful metastasis.

Rojas et al. [30] on the basis of their pooled data stated that MC contain chymase which is known for its ability to promote extracellular matrix degradation and for indirectly stimulating angiogenesis. These responses are essential for tumor invasion and metastasis. Chymase activates latent MMPs, including gelatinase B and pro-collagenases, which degrade components of epithelial basement membranes and extracellular matrix, respectively. Other potent extracellular matrix degrading enzymes of MCs involve cathepsin G, carboxypeptidase and the most frequently discovered gelatinase A and B, which are mediators of tumor progression and metastasis.

Other MC mediators such as FGF-2, TGF-β, IL-3, and IL-4 can stimulate collagenase and β-hexosaminidase production by fibroblasts and IL-1 by macrophages. These factors work in concert to loosen up the stromal milieu to facilitate tumor invasion [2].

The body of evidence presented thus far supports a tumorigenic role for MCs in the development and progression of malignant lesion. But this can be an incomplete portrayal of the MCs. In fact MCs can oppose the growth of the tumor depending on the microenvironment in which they reside. This dual role for MCs certainly seems probable.

This dual role of MCs is probably because of two reasons. Firstly, MCs have a vast array of mediators, some of which have promoting and others have inhibitory effects on malignancies. Secondly, the phenotypic expression of MC is not static and its secretory pattern alters according to the microenvironment. MCs have the ability to secrete individual granules (in contrast to indiscriminate degranulation in an anaphylactic reaction) or distinct mediators selectively. Several studies have shown a tumor cytotoxic role for MCs in malignant lesions [2].

According to the data pooled by Ozdemir [31] MC mediated cytotoxicity seems to be operated by at least 2 pathways: by secretory pathways via exocytosis of granules containing serine proteases such as granzymes, chymase and soluble TNF-α; and nonsecretory (cell-to-cell contact) pathways via membranous TNF-α and FasL.

MCs may promote tumour development through many different ways. On the other hand, MCs could also be detrimental to tumour growth by secreting several cytokines and proteolytic enzymes participating in inducing apoptosis of the malignant cells. The dual role of MCs in inhibiting or promoting tumour growth needs to be further investigated [32].

Studies conducted by various researchers have shown that MCD is a useful prognostic marker and is associated with poor prognosis in oral carcinoma [28], pulmonary adenocarcinoma [33], melanoma [34], hepatocellular carcinoma [35], colorectal carcinoma [38]. Tan et al. [37] in their study observed increased MCD to be associated with improved prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. No correlation was found between MC and the prognosis in invasive breast carcionoma [32]. Also search for novel agents for MC stabilization potential is ongoing [38].

The studies conducted in animal models have shown that, in the design of drugs for treatment or prevention of cancer or precancerous lesions, it may be beneficial to consider agents that stabilize, restore or improve functionality of MCs. Focusing on the design of MC stabilizers, for example, using a combination of inhibitors of IgE-Fc receptor function, cromolyn derivatives, antihistamines or inhibitors of heparin may prove to be a superior strategy for enhancing the tumoricidal role of MCs. The design and use of suitable MC stabilizers is suggested to reduce MC ‘leakiness’ and provide an opportunity for MCs to mature (be granulated) for their tumoricidal properties [39].

Therefore, studies suggest MCs as a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment.