Tumor stroma components

Tumor stroma components encompass the non-malignant elements of the tumor microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM), mesenchymal cells like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells, and the vascular system [1.1.1, 1.3.3]. Far from being a passive scaffold, the stroma actively facilitates tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis by providing structural support and biochemical signals [1.1.3, 1.3.1]. It also acts as a physical and immunological barrier, contributing significantly to therapeutic resistance by hindering drug delivery and suppressing anti-tumor immune responses [1.2.3, 1.4.3]. Therapeutic strategies targeting these components include the depletion of ECM constituents like hyaluronan, the inhibition of pro-tumorigenic signaling pathways such as Hedgehog or TGF-beta, and the reprogramming of CAFs to a quiescent state [1.2.2, 1.3.4]. Drugs like bevacizumab and nab-paclitaxel interact with stromal elements to improve treatment efficacy, while novel agents like PEGPH20 and pamrevlumab specifically target stromal architecture [1.2.1, 1.2.2]. Despite its potential, targeting the stroma is challenging due to its high heterogeneity and the existence of both tumor-promoting and tumor-restricting stromal elements [1.1.1, 1.4.1].

Other names

Tumor microenvironmentTMECancer-associated stromaReactive stromaTumor niche

Inhibition of angiogenesis, depletion of extracellular matrix components, reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and modulation of immune cell infiltration.