Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

6.7K
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...
6.7K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

5.8K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.8K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

3.8K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

6.4K
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...
6.4K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

3.6K
The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.6K
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

13.7K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
13.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Exploring non-autonomous protein homeostasis driven by glutamatergic neurons.

microPublication biology·2026
Same author

Toward actionable interventions in human aging (12th ARDD meeting, 2025).

Aging·2026
Same author

ALDH1L2 regulates reactive oxygen species and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia in the pancreas.

Nature metabolism·2026
Same author

Estropausal gut microbiota transplant improves measures of ovarian function in adult mice.

Nature aging·2026
Same author

The aging mouse lipidome.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A metabolic atlas of mouse aging.

Cell metabolism·2025
Same journal

Microbial C1 assimilation pathways for chemical synthesis: from native metabolism to synthetic design.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Medicinal plants fermentation: current knowledge and perspectives.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Fermented foods: lessons learned from metagenomics.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Microfluidic platforms for the transient transfection of mammalian cells: recent developments and challenges.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Harvesting insights from recent advances in yeast genomics for predictable and precision wine fermentation.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Minimal enzyme cascades for the aromatic-to-aromatic upgrading of lignin monomers.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Computing the Effects of a Local Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Intervention on Tumor Biomechanics
10:23

Author Spotlight: Computing the Effects of a Local Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Intervention on Tumor Biomechanics

Published on: December 1, 2023

460

The aging tumor metabolic microenvironment.

Steven E Pilley1, Edgar Esparza1, Peter J Mullen2

  • 1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|October 2, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Aging significantly impacts cancer development and treatment, yet age is often overlooked in studies. This review explores how aging alters the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its metabolites, crucial for understanding cancer in older adults.

More Related Videos

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
09:52

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

Published on: September 20, 2016

10.4K
Quantitative Immunohistochemistry of the Cellular Microenvironment in Patient Glioblastoma Resections
05:45

Quantitative Immunohistochemistry of the Cellular Microenvironment in Patient Glioblastoma Resections

Published on: July 31, 2017

9.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Computing the Effects of a Local Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Intervention on Tumor Biomechanics
10:23

Author Spotlight: Computing the Effects of a Local Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Intervention on Tumor Biomechanics

Published on: December 1, 2023

460
A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
09:52

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

Published on: September 20, 2016

10.4K
Quantitative Immunohistochemistry of the Cellular Microenvironment in Patient Glioblastoma Resections
05:45

Quantitative Immunohistochemistry of the Cellular Microenvironment in Patient Glioblastoma Resections

Published on: July 31, 2017

9.7K

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gerontology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Cancer incidence increases with age, but age is underrepresented in cancer research.
  • The global population is aging, necessitating research into age-related cancer mechanisms.
  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical factor in cancer progression and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of aging on the TME's metabolic state.
  • To highlight the differences in TME metabolism between young and older adults.
  • To propose future research directions for understanding age-related TME changes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating aging and cancer.
  • Analysis of how aging affects cellular metabolism and metabolite availability.
  • Examination of age-associated alterations in the TME.

Main Results:

  • Aging influences TME composition and metabolite levels.
  • Systemic metabolic changes with age affect the TME.
  • Distinct TME metabolic profiles exist between young and aged individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding age-related TME metabolic shifts is vital for advancing cancer research and treatment.
  • Future studies should incorporate age to elucidate cancer biology in older populations.
  • Metabolite profiling of the TME in different age groups is a promising research avenue.