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Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

7.8K
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: Jan 31, 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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Nanotherapy Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment.

Bo-Shen Gong1, Rui Wang2,3, Hong-Xia Xu4

  • 1Administration Office for Undergraduates, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|December 21, 2018
PubMed
Summary

The tumor microenvironment (TME) influences cancer growth and resistance. Nanoparticles targeting the TME offer promising cancer therapy, but challenges remain for effective clinical application.

Keywords:
Tumor microenvironmentnanomedicinenanoparticlesnanotechnologynanotherapytargeted therapy.

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

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 31, 2026

A Brain Tumor/Organotypic Slice Co-culture System for Studying Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Drug Therapies
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Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro
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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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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:

  • Cancer's high mortality is linked to tumor resistance, influenced by tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • The TME provides conditions supporting cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis, analogous to the "seed and soil" hypothesis.
  • Nanoparticles are emerging as a key strategy for cancer therapy, targeting the TME to deliver drugs effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of the TME in tumor development and progression.
  • To discuss strategies for enhancing nanotherapy efficacy by targeting the TME.
  • To explore methods for minimizing damage to normal tissues during nanotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on tumor microenvironment and nanotherapy.
  • Analysis of TME characteristics (e.g., low pH, CAFs, metalloproteinase expression) relevant to nanodrug delivery.
  • Discussion of targeting strategies (active and passive) for nanoparticles in cancer treatment.

Main Results:

  • The TME significantly impacts tumor resistance and progression.
  • Nanoparticle-based therapies can be tailored to specific TME features for improved drug targeting.
  • Abnormal TME characteristics present challenges for achieving lethal drug concentrations in all tumor cells.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding and targeting the TME is crucial for advancing cancer nanotherapy.
  • Personalized nanotherapy approaches, considering TME heterogeneity, are needed.
  • Further research is required to overcome TME-related challenges and improve clinical outcomes.