Multiple immune and stromal cell surface receptors and cytokines (N/A)

The term 'Multiple immune and stromal cell surface receptors and cytokines' refers to a broad and heterogeneous collection of molecular entities that mediate communication within the tissue microenvironment, particularly between immune cells and structural stromal cells like fibroblasts and endothelial cells (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2021). These molecules include immune checkpoints (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-6), and growth factors (e.g., VEGF) that regulate the local immune response and structural integrity of tissues (UniProt, 2024). In the context of oncology, these targets are central to the tumor microenvironment (TME), where they often facilitate immune evasion and promote tumor growth or metastasis (Cell, 2020). Because this is a collective category rather than a single protein, therapeutic interventions vary widely, ranging from monoclonal antibodies that neutralize soluble cytokines to small molecules that inhibit intracellular signaling pathways (PubMed, 2023). Understanding the complex interplay between these receptors and cytokines is critical for developing combination therapies that can overcome resistance to single-agent treatments in chronic inflammatory and malignant diseases (StatPearls, 2023).

Other names

Immune-stromal interactomeTumor microenvironment signaling moleculesCytokine-receptor network

Diverse mechanisms including ligand neutralization, receptor antagonism, and immune checkpoint inhibition depending on the specific molecule targeted within the group.