Stromal contributions to the carcinogenic process

Abstract

Tumor-associated stromal cells are dynamic characters that endorse the carcinogenic process in a multitude of ways. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role throughout the tumor progression, which includes initiation, growth, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment consists of cellular and non-cellular components. Tumor-associated stromal cell types include the microbiome, immune cells including macrophages, dendritic and T-cells, cells associated with blood and lymphatic vessels including pericytes and endothelial cells, fibroblasts, neuronal cells, and adipocytes. The non-cellular components of the microenvironment include matrix proteins and secreted factors. The development of therapies that target the mechanisms by which stromal cells contribute to successful tumorigenesis is major goal of upcoming cancer research. The purpose of this review is to present a comprehensive discussion of the role of each of the tumor-associated stromal cell types in the carcinogenic process with a special focus on target development and therapeutic intervention.

Core–shell nanoparticles suppress metastasis and modify the tumour-supportive activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts

“…The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 4 Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary. 5 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 9, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.…”

“…The cellular composition of the tumour stroma is largely heterogeneous; fibroblasts, macrophages and other immune cells are the most frequent cancer-associated cell types in the tumour microenvironment [3]. Formation of a cancer-supporting milieu involves the recruitment and concomitant conversion of various stromal cells into cancer-favouring phenotypes via intensive reciprocal crosstalk employing a multitude of secreted factors [4]. The most abundant non-cancerous cell population within the reactive stroma is of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) as they might represent the 80% of the total tumour mass in pancreatic tumours [5].…”

The yin and yang functions of extracellular ATP and adenosine in tumor immunity

“…The accumulation of extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides is negligible in healthy tissues, except in highly secluded compartments, such as synaptic clefts and the interstitium of exercising muscle [6,7]. However, the increase of eATP and ADO comprises important components in TME, which is a complex system consisting of host derived microvasculature, stroma, endothelial cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and immune cells, characterized further by hypoxia, acidosis and high interstitial fluid pressure [8]. The components in TME communicate with each other, and also with cancer cells, regulating cellular processes which can inhibit or promote tumor growth [9].…”

The number of CD163 positive macrophages is associatedwith more advanced skin melanomas, microvessels density and patient prognosis

“…Tumor microenvironment is a field of constant struggle between malignant tumor cells and patient's immune system. Immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes and other cells that are included in microenvironment interact both with eachotherandwithtumorcells [18,19].Literature datasuggestthattumorsmaypromoteoralterdifferentimmunecellsphenotypesandeithersuppress theimmunesystemorraisethetolerancefortumor antigens which would lead to tumor progression andmetastasis [4,5,6,7].…”