It takes a (dysfunctional) village to raise a tumor.
The tumor microenvironment is known to play an important role in tumorigenesis. In this issue, Yang et al. (2008) demonstrate that mast cells heterozygous for the Nf1 gene promote the growth of neurofibromas in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis and that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of these cells is sufficient to block tumor growth.
Reilly
Karlyne M
KM
Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. kreilly@ncifcrf.gov
Van Dyke
Terry
T
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D025542:Neurofibromin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D025542:Neurofibromin 1