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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction

Published on: August 1, 2019

Differential macrophage programming in the tumor microenvironment.

Brian Ruffell¹, Nesrine I Affara, Lisa M Coussens

¹Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Ave, HSW450C, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.

Trends in Immunology

|January 27, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote cancer progression by supporting tumor growth, survival, and invasion. Modulating TAM polarization offers a promising anticancer therapy strategy.

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Published on: November 28, 2019

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Cell Biology

Background:

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key stromal cells in solid tumors.
TAMs contribute to tumor progression through various mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the protumor functions of TAMs.
To highlight the role of TAM polarization in cancer.
To emphasize the therapeutic potential of targeting TAMs.

Main Methods:

Review of literature on TAM biology and function.
Analysis of molecular pathways regulating TAM polarization.
Discussion of extracellular matrix interactions.

Main Results:

TAMs promote tumor angiogenesis, proliferation, survival, and invasion.
TAMs suppress cytotoxic T cell responses.
TAM polarization is influenced by cytokines, chemokines, and extracellular matrix components.

Conclusions:

Targeting molecular pathways that regulate TAM polarization is a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy.