Vimentin in the tumor microenvironment: orchestrating invasion, immunity, and metabolism

Vimentin, a type III intermediate filament protein, has gained recognition as a multifunctional regulator within the tumor microenvironment (TME). While traditionally considered a hallmark of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), vimentin is increasingly understood as a structural and signaling hub essential for the functional complexity of mesoderm-derived and EMT-transitioned cells. It bridges cytoskeletal architecture with key signaling networks, linking cellular plasticity to mechanotransduction, immune modulation, and metabolic regulation. This unique versatility underlies vimentin's essential role in supporting the migratory, remodeling, and adaptive behaviors required in contexts such as wound healing, inflammation, and tissue remodeling—capabilities that cancer cells have co-opted to their advantage. Indeed, vimentin's pervasive expression across aggressive cancers reflects its ability to scaffold and coordinate the cytoskeletal and signaling rewiring needed for malignancy. This review provides an integrated overview of vimentin's diverse roles in the TME, emphasizing its contributions to tumor invasiveness, immune regulation, and metabolic adaptation. We conclude by discussing how these insights may inform the development of vimentin-centered strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes in cancer.