CXCL13/CXCR5 signaling axis in cancer

The tumor microenvironment comprises stromal and tumor cells which interact with each Other through complex cross-talks that are mediated by a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. The chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its Chemokine Receptor 5 (CXCR5) are among the key chemotactic factors which play crucial roles in deriving cancer Cell Biology. CXCL13/CXCR5 signaling axis makes pivotal contributions to the development and progression of several human cancers. In this review, we discuss how CXCL13/CXCR5 signaling modulates Cancer cell ability to grow, proliferate, invade, and metastasize. Furthermore, we also discuss the preliminary evidence on context-dependent functioning of this axis within the tumor-immune microenvironment, thus, highlighting its potential dichotomy with respect to Anticancer immunity and Cancer immune-evasion mechanisms. At the end, we briefly shed light on the therapeutic potential or implications of targeting CXCL13/CXCR5 axis within the tumor microenvironment.