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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

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Tumor Immunotherapy

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Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells

Published on: September 23, 2021

Tumor-derived microvesicles and the cancer microenvironment.

G Camussi¹, M C Deregibus, C Tetta

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Molecular Biotechnology Center and Centre for Research in Experimental Medicine (CeRMS), Torino, Italy. giovanni.camussi@unito.it

Current Molecular Medicine

|July 28, 2012

Summary

Tumor cells release microvesicles (MVs) that mediate communication by transferring signals, proteins, and genetic material. These MVs play a crucial role in altering recipient cell function and the tumor microenvironment.

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Tumor cells release microvesicles (MVs) into the extracellular environment.
These MVs can remain localized or travel to distant sites via biological fluids.
Microvesicles are increasingly recognized as key mediators of intercellular communication.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the biological actions of tumor-derived microvesicles.
To discuss the potential role of MVs in tumor biology and cancer progression.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on tumor-derived microvesicles.
Analysis of mechanisms of MV-mediated intercellular communication.
Examination of MV cargo, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Main Results:

MVs transfer bioactive molecules like lipids, proteins, mRNA, and microRNA from tumor cells to recipient cells.
Tumor-derived MVs can induce epigenetic changes and alter the phenotype and function of stromal cells.
MVs facilitate both local and long-range cell-to-cell signaling within the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions:

Tumor-derived microvesicles are significant effectors of cell-to-cell communication.
MVs contribute to the modulation of the tumor microenvironment and influence tumor progression.
Understanding MV biology offers potential therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities.