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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...

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.

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors

Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors

Published on: June 7, 2018

Tumor Microenvironment and Differential Responses to Therapy.

Eishu Hirata¹, Erik Sahai²

¹Department of Oncologic Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine

|February 19, 2017

Summary

Tumor evolution, driven by the tumor microenvironment and therapeutic pressures, impacts cancer development and treatment response. Understanding these interactions can improve cancer therapy outcomes.

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Last Updated: Mar 7, 2026

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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

Published on: September 20, 2016

Area of Science:

Oncology
Evolutionary Biology
Cancer Biology

Background:

Tumor evolution is a critical factor in cancer development and treatment resistance.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises diverse cell types and extracellular matrix, influencing cancer progression.
Cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy exert significant selective pressures on tumor cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To review how TME components modulate responses to chemo- and radiotherapy.
To describe how therapeutic strategies alter the TME, influencing cancer cell selection.
To explore the implications for therapy outcomes and potential therapeutic exploitation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on tumor microenvironment and cancer evolution.
Analysis of how TME composition and function affect therapeutic selectivity.
Exploration of the interplay between TME, cancer evolution, and treatment efficacy.

Main Results:

The TME significantly influences cancer cell adaptation to therapy.
Therapeutic interventions can reshape the TME, creating new selective pressures.
Interactions between the TME and cancer cells are dynamic and impact treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

Targeting the TME offers a promising strategy to enhance cancer therapy.
A deeper understanding of TME-driven cancer evolution can lead to improved therapeutic benefit.
Manipulating the TME may overcome treatment resistance and improve patient prognosis.