[Research progress on tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer]

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Its incidence rate is gradually increasing in China, posing a serious threat to male health. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of various cells and non-cellular components that interact with tumor cells, including the extracellular matrix, stromal cells, immune cells and vasculature. These elements form an interconnected and dynamic system that regulates tumor cell proliferation, metabolism, immune evasion, and distant metastasis through processes such as matrix remodeling, fibroblast recruitment, immune cell migration and angiogenesis. In recent years, with the advancement of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics technologies, the heterogeneity of tumor cells and the relationships among different cellular populations have become increasingly clear. It has also been recognized that the TME plays a crucial role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of PCa. Modulating the TME to reverse malignant tumor progression represents a promising therapeutic strategy. However, studies investigating the specific functions of various cellular components within the TME and their dynamic interactions with prostate cancer cells remain limited. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview of TME and to elucidate the mechanisms of interaction between PCa cells and the TME, with the goal of offering a theoretical foundation for novel therapeutic strategies in PCa.