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The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

Tumor Progression

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

Tumor Progression

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice

Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice

Published on: December 27, 2024

Twisted tango: brain tumor neurovascular interactions.

Anita B Hjelmeland¹, Justin D Lathia, Sith Sathornsumetee

¹Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. hjelmea@ccf.org

Nature Neuroscience

|October 28, 2011

Summary

Brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) interact with their microenvironment, particularly vasculature, influencing tumor growth and blood vessel formation. Targeting this relationship may offer new brain tumor treatment strategies.

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A Brain Tumor/Organotypic Slice Co-culture System for Studying Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Drug Therapies

A Brain Tumor/Organotypic Slice Co-culture System for Studying Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Drug Therapies

Published on: November 7, 2015

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Oncology
Cell Biology

Background:

Brain tumors exhibit heterogeneity and a cellular hierarchy, with brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) at the apex.
BTSCs share characteristics with neural stem cells and interact with their microenvironment, especially vasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the codependence between BTSCs and the perivascular niche.
To understand how BTSCs regulate and are regulated by their microenvironment.

Main Methods:

Analysis of cellular and microenvironmental interactions in brain tumors.
Examination of BTSC characteristics, including stem cell gene expression and proangiogenic factor secretion.
Investigation of BTSC plasticity toward endothelial lineages.

Main Results:

BTSCs are enriched in perivascular niches and stimulate angiogenesis via growth factor secretion.
Microenvironmental factors like hypoxia promote stem cell gene expression and proangiogenic factors in BTSCs.
BTSCs can differentiate into endothelial cells, contributing to tumor vasculature.

Conclusions:

The interplay between BTSCs and the perivascular niche is crucial for brain tumor maintenance and growth.
Targeting the bidirectional relationship between BTSCs and their microenvironment, particularly vasculature, holds therapeutic potential for brain tumors.