The Basics of the Tumor Microenvironment

Stay up to date on the latest science with Brush Up Summaries.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a local area created and dominated by a tumor that contains different cell types and chemical signals. It catalyzes tumor growth and can contribute to cancer cells acquiring therapy resistance. Over the last 20 years, the scientific community achieved significant progress in understanding this complex environment. Still, only 3.4 percent of investigated oncology drugs are effective in early trials, which demonstrates how important it is to understand the complex TME and its relation to therapy and resistance.^1,2

The TME contains cellular and noncellular components. These include cells of the immune system, cancer associated fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, but also extracellular matrix (ECM), signaling factors, and growth factors (Table 1) that are essential for cancer cell survival.³

Table 1. Cellular and noncellular components of the tumor microenvironment³

Immune cells

Extracellular matrix (ECM)

T-lymphocytes

Exosomes

...