title: Regulation of tumor growth and metastasis: the role of tumor microenvironment.
abstract: The presence of abnormal cells with malignant potential or neoplastic characteristics is a relatively common phenomenon. The interaction of these abnormal cells with their microenvironment is essential for tumor development, protection from the body's immune or defence mechanisms, later progression and the development of life-threatening or metastatic disease. The tumor microenvironment is a collective term that includes the tumor's surrounding and supportive stroma, the different effectors of the immune system, blood platelets, hormones and other humoral factors. A better understanding of the interplay between the tumor cells and its microenvironment can provide efficient tools for cancer management, as well as better prevention, screening and risk assessment protocols.
authors.affiliation: Saskatoon Cancer Centre and College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.
authors.forename: Hadi A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Goubran
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Victoria, BC. ; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Rami R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kotb
authors.affiliation: Saskatoon Cancer Centre and College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stakiw
authors.affiliation: Saskatoon Cancer Centre and College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.
authors.forename: Mohamed E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Emara
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burnouf
keywords: hormones; immune; metastasis; platelets; regulation; stroma; tumor; tumor microenvironment