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Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

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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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Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

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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.
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Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

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The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
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Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

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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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Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

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Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
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Target Cell Response to Hormones01:22

Target Cell Response to Hormones

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Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 2, 2026

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

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Tumor Microenvironment Targeted Nanotherapy.

Clara Fernandes1, Divya Suares1, Mayur C Yergeri1

  • 1Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies - NMIMS, Mumbai, India.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|November 16, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Nanotechnology offers new cancer treatments, but the tumor microenvironment hinders drug delivery. Strategies are reviewed to improve distribution and overcome drug resistance for better cancer therapy.

Keywords:
cancernano carriernano therapyresistancetumor microenviroment

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Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro
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Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors
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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Nanotechnology advances offer novel cancer diagnosis and therapy approaches.
  • The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect aids nano-chemotherapeutics extravasation.
  • However, tumor microenvironment barriers impede homogeneous intratumoral distribution and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review tumor microenvironment barriers affecting nano-chemotherapeutics.
  • To summarize strategies for improving nano-chemotherapeutics delivery.
  • To discuss combinatorial approaches for overcoming acquired resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on nanotechnology in cancer therapy.
  • Analysis of tumor microenvironment factors influencing nanoparticle distribution.
  • Exploration of various nanotechnology-based and combinatorial strategies.

Main Results:

  • Tumor vasculature, interstitial pressure, and stroma limit drug distribution and efficacy.
  • Heterogeneous distribution can damage non-tumor cells and induce acquired resistance.
  • Combinatorial strategies involving nanotechnology, ligand-mediated, redox-responsive, and enzyme-mediated approaches show promise.

Conclusions:

  • The tumor microenvironment critically regulates nano-chemotherapeutics distribution and effects.
  • Overcoming these barriers is essential for effective cancer nanomedicine.
  • Targeted delivery and combination therapies are key to enhancing therapeutic outcomes.