title: The evolution of the cancer niche during multistage carcinogenesis.
abstract: The concept of the tumour microenvironment recognizes that the interplay between cancer cells and stromal cells is a crucial determinant of cancer growth. In this Perspectives article, we propose the novel concept that the tumour microenvironment is built through rate-limiting steps during multistage carcinogenesis. Construction of a 'precancer niche' is a necessary and early step that is required for initiated cells to survive and evolve; subsequent niche expansion and maturation accompany tumour promotion and progression, respectively. As such, cancer niches represent an emergent property of a tumour that could be a robust target for cancer prevention and therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA. barcem01@nyumc.org
authors.forename: Mary Helen
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Barcellos-Hoff
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lyden
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000502:physiology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology*