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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

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012...

Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

Published on: February 28, 2020

Reprogramming the tumor stroma: a new paradigm.

David R Rowley¹

¹Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

|October 15, 2014

Summary

Vitamin D receptor activation reprograms tumor stroma to reduce inflammation, enhancing pancreatic cancer drug retention, response, and survival. This stroma reprogramming strategy offers a new therapeutic approach.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Molecular Biology
Cancer Research

Background:

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer progression and treatment resistance.
Reactive stroma within the TME can promote inflammation and hinder therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation on reactive stroma in the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment.
To determine if VDR activation can alter the inflammatory and functional state of the tumor stroma.
To assess the impact of stroma reprogramming on pancreatic cancer treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

Utilized pancreatic cancer models.
Administered vitamin D receptor activators.
Analyzed changes in the tumor microenvironment, focusing on stromal cells.

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A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

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Mammary Transplantation of Stromal Cells and Carcinoma Cells in C57BL/6J Mice

Mammary Transplantation of Stromal Cells and Carcinoma Cells in C57BL/6J Mice

Published on: August 12, 2011

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Last Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

Published on: February 28, 2020

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

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Mammary Transplantation of Stromal Cells and Carcinoma Cells in C57BL/6J Mice

Mammary Transplantation of Stromal Cells and Carcinoma Cells in C57BL/6J Mice

Published on: August 12, 2011

Evaluated drug retention, tumor response, and animal survival.

Main Results:

Vitamin D receptor activation successfully reprogrammed reactive stroma into a less inflammatory, quiescent state.
This reprogramming was associated with enhanced drug retention within tumors.
Significant improvements in tumor response and overall survival were observed in treated models.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D receptor activation effectively modulates the tumor microenvironment by reprogramming reactive stroma.
Stroma reprogramming, distinct from stroma ablation, presents a promising new therapeutic paradigm for pancreatic cancer.
Targeting stromal components offers a viable strategy to enhance treatment efficacy and patient survival.