The tumor microenvironment: a critical determinant of neoplastic evolution.

摘要: Evolution of neoplastic cells has generally been regarded as a cumulative intrinsic process resulting in altered cell characteristics enabling enhanced growth properties, evasion apoptotic signals, unlimited replicative potential and gain properties the ability to thrive ectopic tissues some cases, metastasize. Recently however, role microenvironment become appreciated largely due realization that tumors are not merely masses cells, but instead, complex composed both non-cellular (matrix proteins) cellular 'diploid' component (tumor-associated fibroblasts, capillary-associated inflammatory cells), addition ever-evolving cells. With these realizations, it evident early persistent responses observed or around many solid tumors, play important roles establishing an environment suitable for progression by providing diverse factors alter tissue homeostasis. Using cutaneous melanoma squamous carcinoma tumor models, we review current literature focussing on tumor-associated fibroblast critical mediators malignancies.