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The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 15, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 20, 2016

Microenvironment of Solid Tumors.

Tatyana V Korneenko¹, Nikolay B Pestov^2,3, Mikhail I Shakhparonov¹

¹Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 117997 Moscow, Russia.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)

|October 11, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for cancer progression. Understanding its complex cellular interactions and mechanical properties, particularly in aggressive cancers, is key to developing new therapies.

Keywords:

cancer cancer-associated cells desmoplasia extracellular matrix metastasis

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Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors

Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors

Published on: June 7, 2018

Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro

Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro

Published on: November 20, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 20, 2016

Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors

Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors

Published on: June 7, 2018

Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro

Microfluidic Device for Recreating a Tumor Microenvironment in Vitro

Published on: November 20, 2011

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Biology
Immunology

Background:

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to tumor progression, facilitating cancer cell survival and growth through structural modifications and paracrine signaling.
Infiltrating immune cells within the aggressive TME often exhibit exhaustion, hindering anti-tumor responses.
Mechanically stiff TME, characteristic of invasive cancers like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, significantly impacts cancer cell survival.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding the TME's role in aggressive cancer progression.
To highlight the significance of single-cell sequencing in characterizing heterogeneous stromal cell subtypes within the TME.
To explore how these insights can inform the development of novel co-treatment strategies for aggressive cancers.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature focusing on the TME.
Emphasis on single-cell sequencing technologies applied to stromal cells.
Analysis of the mechanical properties of solid tumors and their impact.

Main Results:

Stromal cells within the TME are highly heterogeneous but can be classified into distinct subtypes.
Cross-linking enzymes play a critical role in the mechanical stiffness of tumors.
These findings underscore the TME's complex contribution to both primary tumor growth and metastasis.

Conclusions:

New insights into TME heterogeneity and mechanics are emerging.
Targeting specific stromal cell subtypes offers potential therapeutic avenues.
These advancements pave the way for developing effective co-treatment strategies to enhance cancer therapies.