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Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
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Therapeutic Targeting of the Tumor Microenvironment

Leire Bejarano1, Marta J C Jordāo1, Johanna A Joyce2,3

  • 1Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Cancer Discovery
|April 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) offers a promising cancer treatment strategy. This review covers advanced TME therapies, including immunotherapies and antiangiogenic drugs, alongside challenges and future directions.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) critically influences tumor progression and treatment response.
  • Targeting the TME is a rapidly advancing area in cancer therapy.
  • Understanding TME components is key to developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on advanced therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment.
  • To discuss clinically approved and investigational TME-directed treatments.
  • To explore challenges and future perspectives in TME-targeted cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of TME-directed therapies.
  • Analysis of immunotherapies, antiangiogenic drugs, and treatments targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular matrix.
  • Evaluation of clinical trial data and basic science principles.

Main Results:

  • Several TME-directed therapies, including immunotherapies and antiangiogenic agents, are in clinical use or trials.
  • Treatments targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix show therapeutic potential.
  • Significant progress has been made in understanding TME biology and its therapeutic implications.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the tumor microenvironment represents a significant frontier in cancer treatment.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges and optimize TME-directed therapies.
  • Future strategies will likely involve combination therapies and novel approaches to modulate the TME.

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