Tumor microenvironment components: Allies of cancer progression

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide and has a great impact on public health. Therefore, the study of tumor biology and an understanding of how the components of the tumor microenvironment behave and interact is extremely important for cancer research. Factors expressed by the components of the tumor microenvironment and induce angiogenesis have important roles in the onset and progression of the tumor. These components are represented by the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, adipocytes, immune cells, and macrophages, besides endothelial cells, which modulate tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment to favor survival and the progression of cancer. The characteristics and function of the main stromal components and their mechanisms of interaction with the tumor cells that contribute to progression, tumor invasion, and tumor spread will be addressed in this review. Furthermore, reviewing these components is expected to indicate their importance as possible prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Adipocyte; Fibroblast; Macrophage; Stromal cell; Tumor evasion; Tumor microenvironment.