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The Role of Tumor-Stroma Interactions in Drug Resistance Within Tumor Microenvironment

Yanghong Ni1,2, Xiaoting Zhou1,2, Jia Yang1,2

  • 1Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly impacts cancer drug resistance. Understanding complex cell interactions within the TME is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cancer cells' resistance to therapy is a major clinical challenge.
  • Historically, focus was on tumor cells; now, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is recognized for its role.
  • The TME influences immune evasion, drug resistance, and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the TME in promoting therapeutic resistance.
  • To highlight the cross-talk between cancer cells and various non-malignant cells within the TME.
  • To underscore the importance of TME interactions for designing novel cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on cellular components of the TME.
  • Analysis of interactions between cancer cells and TME-resident cells.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on TME-mediated drug resistance mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Identified key TME components: cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), neutrophils (TANs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), T-regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), and tumor endothelial cells (TECs).
  • Detailed the cross-talk between these cells and tumor cells.
  • Demonstrated how these interactions contribute to acquired therapeutic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • The TME plays a critical role in the development of cancer drug resistance.
  • Targeting the complex cellular interactions within the TME is a promising strategy for overcoming therapeutic resistance.
  • Further research into TME dynamics is essential for advancing cancer treatment efficacy.
Keywords:
MSCsCAFsTAMsantineoplastic drug resistancecell-cell interplaystumor microenvironment

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