title: The importance of the tumor microenvironment in the therapeutic management of cancer.
abstract: Tumor prognosis is generally defined by various tumor parameters. However, it is well known that paracrine, endocrine and cell-cell interactions between the tumor and its microenvironment contribute to its growth. The tumor microenvironment (TME) can also influence disease prognosis and is likely to be considered as an important prognostic factor. In addition, conventional therapies can influence the microenvironment and antitumor immunity. Similarly, the TME will influence the effectiveness of therapy. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate how TME is important in therapeutic management. Key interactions between TME and different cancer therapies as well as their current clinical consequences have been described. More research is needed to establish the important network between tumor cells and their environment to highlight their relationships with conventional therapies and develop global therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pottier
authors.forename: Alodie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wheatherspoon
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roncarati
authors.forename: Rémi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Longuespée
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herfs
authors.forename: Anaelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duray
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delvenne
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quatresooz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: cancer prognosis; conventional therapies; integrated therapy; therapeutic strategies; tumor microenvironment