Tumor microenvironment: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:39, 10 February 2025

Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the environment surrounding a tumor, including the surrounding blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, signaling molecules, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The TME plays a crucial role in tumor development, progression, and response to therapy.

Components

The tumor microenvironment is composed of several key components:

Cancer Cells

Cancer cells are the primary component of the tumor microenvironment. They interact with other components of the TME to promote tumor growth and metastasis.

Stromal Cells

Stromal cells include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and pericytes. These cells contribute to the formation of the tumor stroma, which provides structural support and influences tumor behavior.

Immune Cells

The TME contains various immune cells, such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. These cells can have both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing roles, depending on their state and the signals they receive from the tumor and its environment.

Extracellular Matrix

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a network of proteins and polysaccharides that provides structural support to the cells. It also plays a role in cell signaling and can influence cancer cell behavior.

Signaling Molecules

The TME is rich in signaling molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. These molecules mediate communication between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal and immune cells.

Role in Cancer Progression

The tumor microenvironment is not just a passive bystander but actively participates in cancer progression. It can influence tumor growth, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and metastasis. The interactions between cancer cells and the TME can lead to the development of drug resistance, making the TME a target for therapeutic interventions.

Therapeutic Implications

Targeting the tumor microenvironment offers potential therapeutic strategies. Approaches include modifying the immune response, targeting stromal components, and altering the ECM to inhibit tumor progression and improve the efficacy of existing treatments.

Related Pages

References

Gallery

Components of the tumor microenvironment
Tumor stroma and extracellular matrix in hypoxia
Stromal cell in tumor microenvironment
HIF regulates interactions of cancer cells with ECM
Tumor microenvironment
Tumor-associated immune cells in TME of breast cancer
Immune checkpoints in breast cancer

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Tumor microenvironment''' is the immediate cellular environment in which a [[tumor]] exists, including surrounding [[blood vessels]], [[immune cells]], [[fibroblasts]], [[signaling molecules]] and the [[extracellular matrix]] (ECM). The tumor microenvironment is dynamic and changes as the tumor grows and develops.
+== Tumor Microenvironment ==
-== Overview ==
+The '''tumor microenvironment''' (TME) is the environment surrounding a [[tumor]], including the surrounding [[blood vessels]], [[immune cells]], [[fibroblasts]], [[signaling molecules]], and the [[extracellular matrix]] (ECM). The TME plays a crucial role in tumor development, progression, and response to therapy.
-The tumor microenvironment is a complex and dynamic system that plays a crucial role in [[cancer]] progression and response to therapy. It is composed of various cell types including [[cancer cells]], [[stromal cells]], and [[immune cells]], as well as non-cellular components such as the [[extracellular matrix]] and signaling molecules.
+== Components ==
+The tumor microenvironment is composed of several key components:
+=== Cancer Cells ===
+[[Cancer cells]] are the primary component of the tumor microenvironment. They interact with other components of the TME to promote tumor growth and metastasis.
-== Components ==
+=== Stromal Cells ===
+[[Stromal cells]] include [[fibroblasts]], [[endothelial cells]], and [[pericytes]]. These cells contribute to the formation of the tumor stroma, which provides structural support and influences tumor behavior.
-=== Cancer cells ===
+=== Immune Cells ===
-[[Cancer cells]] are the main component of the tumor microenvironment. They are characterized by uncontrolled growth and division, and the ability to invade other tissues.
+The TME contains various [[immune cells]], such as [[T cells]], [[B cells]], [[macrophages]], and [[natural killer cells]]. These cells can have both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing roles, depending on their state and the signals they receive from the tumor and its environment.
-=== Stromal cells ===
+=== Extracellular Matrix ===
-[[Stromal cells]] are non-cancerous cells that are part of the tumor microenvironment. They include [[fibroblasts]], [[endothelial cells]], and [[pericytes]]. These cells can support tumor growth and progression.
+The [[extracellular matrix]] (ECM) is a network of proteins and polysaccharides that provides structural support to the cells. It also plays a role in cell signaling and can influence cancer cell behavior.
-=== Immune cells ===
+=== Signaling Molecules ===
-[[Immune cells]] in the tumor microenvironment can either promote or inhibit tumor growth. They include [[T cells]], [[B cells]], [[macrophages]], and [[neutrophils]].
+The TME is rich in [[signaling molecules]] such as [[cytokines]], [[chemokines]], and [[growth factors]]. These molecules mediate communication between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal and immune cells.
-=== Extracellular matrix ===
+== Role in Cancer Progression ==
-The [[extracellular matrix]] (ECM) is a network of proteins and carbohydrates that provides structural and biochemical support to cells. In the tumor microenvironment, the ECM can influence tumor growth and progression.
+The tumor microenvironment is not just a passive bystander but actively participates in cancer progression. It can influence tumor growth, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and metastasis. The interactions between cancer cells and the TME can lead to the development of drug resistance, making the TME a target for therapeutic interventions.
-== Role in cancer progression ==
+== Therapeutic Implications ==
-The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in cancer progression. It can promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, and can also influence the response to therapy.
+Targeting the tumor microenvironment offers potential therapeutic strategies. Approaches include modifying the immune response, targeting stromal components, and altering the ECM to inhibit tumor progression and improve the efficacy of existing treatments.
-== See also ==
+== Related Pages ==
 * [[Cancer]]
-* [[Tumor]]
+* [[Metastasis]]
-* [[Extracellular matrix]]
+* [[Angiogenesis]]
-* [[Immune cells]]
+* [[Immunotherapy]]
-* [[Stromal cells]]
+== References ==
+{{Reflist}}
+== Gallery ==
+<gallery>
+File:Components-of-the-tumor-microenvironment.png|Components of the tumor microenvironment
+File:Tumour_stroma_and_extracellular_matrix_in_hypoxia.svg|Tumor stroma and extracellular matrix in hypoxia
+File:Stromal_cell_in_tumor_microenvironment.jpg|Stromal cell in tumor microenvironment
+File:HIF_regulates_interactions_of_cancer_cells_with_ECM_and_ECM_biosynthesis.svg|HIF regulates interactions of cancer cells with ECM
+File:Tumor_microenvironment.jpg|Tumor microenvironment
+File:Tumor-associated_immune_cells_in_the_tumor_microenvironment_(TME)_of_breast_cancer_models.svg|Tumor-associated immune cells in TME of breast cancer
+File:Immune_checkpoints_of_immunosuppressive_actions_associated_with_breast_cancer.svg|Immune checkpoints in breast cancer
+</gallery>
 [[Category:Cancer]]
-[[Category:Cell biology]]
+[[Category:Oncology]]
-[[Category:Immunology]]
-{{stub}}