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Review
. 2019 Dec 30;56(1):15.
doi: 10.3390/medicina56010015.

Tumor Microenvironment

Borros Arneth  1
Affiliations
Review

Tumor Microenvironment

Borros Arneth. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Background and objectives: The tumor microenvironment has been widely implicated in tumorigenesis because it harbors tumor cells that interact with surrounding cells through the circulatory and lymphatic systems to influence the development and progression of cancer. In addition, nonmalignant cells in the tumor microenvironment play critical roles in all the stages of carcinogenesis by stimulating and facilitating uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Aim: This study aims to explore the concept of the tumor microenvironment by conducting a critical review of previous studies on the topic. Materials and Methods: This review relies on evidence presented in previous studies related to the topic. The articles included in this review were obtained from different medical and health databases.

Results and discussion: The tumor microenvironment has received significant attention in the cancer literature, with a particular focus on its role in tumor development and progression. Previous studies have identified various components of the tumor microenvironment that influence malignant behavior and progression. In addition to malignant cells, adipocytes, fibroblasts, tumor vasculature, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts are present in the tumor microenvironment. Each of these cell types has unique immunological capabilities that determine whether the tumor will survive and affect neighboring cells.

Conclusion: The tumor microenvironment harbors cancer stem cells and other molecules that contribute to tumor development and progression. Consequently, targeting and manipulating the cells and factors in the tumor microenvironment during cancer treatment can help control malignancies and achieve positive health outcomes.

Keywords: cancer; cancer-microenvironment; tumor; tumor-growth; tumor-microenvironment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prisma Flow Diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic overview about the most important mechanisms and interactions of the tumor microenvironment (TME).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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