Stromal fibroblasts in cancer initiation and progression.
It is widely accepted that the development of carcinoma--the most common form of human cancer--is due to the accumulation of somatic mutations in epithelial cells. The behaviour of carcinomas is also influenced by the tumour microenvironment, which includes extracellular matrix, blood vasculature, inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. Recent studies reveal that fibroblasts have a more profound influence on the development and progression of carcinomas than was previously appreciated. These new findings have important therapeutic implications.
Bhowmick
Neil A
NA
Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
Neilson
Eric G
EG
Moses
Harold L
HL
D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D018450:Disease Progression; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*