Cellular structures within tumor microenvironment

The term "Cellular structures within tumor microenvironment" refers collectively to the diverse population of cells and their associated structures found in and around tumors. The TME comprises malignant (tumor) cells and various non-malignant components, including immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils), stromal cells (tumor-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, pericytes, adipocytes), and vascular structures. These cellular elements interact closely with the extracellular matrix and soluble mediators such as cytokines. Their dynamic interplay regulates tumor development, progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy, and offers multiple avenues for targeted therapy at the level of specific cell types[1][2][3][5]. This entry should not be treated as a molecular or receptor drug target but as a descriptive category for diverse cells within the TME. Specific, actionable targets must refer to individual cell-surface molecules, receptors, or defined cell populations (e.g., "Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)" on T cells or "Cancer-associated fibroblast") rather than the entire set of cellular structures within the microenvironment.

Other names

Tumor microenvironment cellular componentsTME cellular elementsStromal and immune cells in TME