Tumor and tumor microenvironment cells (TME) (TME)

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a highly complex and dynamic ecosystem comprising malignant cells and various non-malignant components, including immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) (NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms). It serves as a critical regulator of tumor growth, survival, and metastatic potential by facilitating immune evasion and providing necessary growth factors and structural support (Anderson & Simon, 2020, Current Biology). While the TME itself is a biological system rather than a single molecular target, its individual components—such as PD-1/PD-L1 pathways or VEGF signaling—are the focus of numerous successful therapeutic interventions (Bejarano et al., 2021, Cancer Discovery). Drugs targeting the TME aim to shift the environment from an immunosuppressive, pro-tumorigenic state to one that promotes anti-tumor immunity and limits vascularization (Quail & Joyce, 2013, Nature Medicine). However, the heterogeneity and plasticity of the TME present significant challenges, often leading to therapeutic resistance and necessitating combination treatment strategies (Binnewies et al., 2018, Nature Medicine).

Other names

Tumor microenvironmentCancer microenvironmentTumor stromaTME

Therapeutic strategies targeting the TME involve immune checkpoint blockade to reinvigorate T cells, inhibition of pro-angiogenic signaling to starve the tumor of nutrients, and modulation of stromal cells to disrupt the protective physical and chemical barriers of the tumor.