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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...

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

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 specific...

Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor Immunotherapy

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

Published on: February 28, 2020

Targeting Tumor Stroma: Current Challenges and Future Directions.

Siwei Wang^1,2,3, Haofan Hu^1,2,3, Weifeng Zeng^1,2,3

¹Division of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China.

|May 13, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Targeting tumor stroma, crucial in cancer progression and drug resistance, offers new therapeutic avenues. This review details stromal biology and strategies to overcome treatment challenges for improved cancer therapy.

Keywords:

cancer therapy cancer‐associated fibroblasts clinical trial extracellular matrix targeted therapy tumor stroma

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Last Updated: May 14, 2026

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery

Published on: February 28, 2020

Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion

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Published on: March 18, 2014

A Biomimetic Model for Liver Cancer to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions in a 3D Environment with Tunable Bio-Physical Properties

A Biomimetic Model for Liver Cancer to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions in a 3D Environment with Tunable Bio-Physical Properties

Published on: August 7, 2020

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Biology
Nanomedicine

Background:

Tumor stroma is a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing cancer progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and drug resistance.
Stromal components, including extracellular matrix (ECM) and stromal cells, create a barrier hindering drug delivery and promoting immunosuppression.
A comprehensive understanding of stromal biology is essential for developing effective cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review the biological functions of major stromal components in tumor development and therapy resistance.
To discuss current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor stroma.
To highlight recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies of stroma-targeted therapies.

Main Methods:

Comprehensive literature review of tumor stroma biology and therapeutic strategies.
Analysis of preclinical studies and clinical trials on stroma-targeted therapies.
Integration of advances in tumor biology, nanomedicine, and translational oncology.

Main Results:

Stromal components significantly impact tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to cancer treatments.
Therapeutic strategies include stromal cell depletion, vascular normalization, ECM modulation, and nanomaterial-based delivery systems.
Emerging approaches show promise in enhancing drug penetration and therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

Targeting the tumor stroma presents a promising strategy for overcoming cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.
Further research and clinical trials are needed to fully realize the potential of stroma-targeted therapies.
Integrating nanomedicine and precision oncology offers future directions for effective cancer treatment.