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. 2017 Dec;3(4):218-229.
doi: 10.1007/s40610-017-0073-7. Epub 2017 Oct 30.

Tumor microenvironment heterogeneity: challenges and opportunities

F Runa  1 , S Hamalian  1 , K Meade  1 , P Shisgal  1 , P C Gray  2 , J A Kelber  1
Affiliations

Tumor microenvironment heterogeneity: challenges and opportunities

F Runa et al. Curr Mol Biol Rep. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been recognized as an integral component of malignancies in breast and prostate tissues, contributing in confounding ways to tumor progression, metastasis, therapy resistance and disease recurrence. Major components of the TME are immune cells, fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSCs), and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Herein, we discuss the molecular and cellular heterogeneity within the TME and how this presents unique challenges and opportunities for treating breast and prostate cancers.

Keywords: Cancer Associated Fibroblasts; Cancer Progression/Recurrence; EMT; Extracellular matrix (ECM); Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs); Metastasis; Signaling Pathways; Therapy Resistances; Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs); Tumor Microenvironment (TME).

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest F. Runa, S. Hamalian, K. Meade, P. Shisgal, P.C. Gray, and J.A. Kelber each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Immunihistochemistry of cell state markers indicating prostate cancer heterogeneity. Patient samples were retrieved from the Human Protein Atlas.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immunihistochemistry of cell state markers indicating breast cancer heterogeneity Patient samples were retrieved from the Human Protein Atlas.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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