Translational aspects in targeting the stromal tumour microenvironment: from bench to bedside.
Solid tumours comprise, not only malignant cells but also a variety of stromal cells and extracellular matrix proteins. These components interact via an array of signalling pathways to create an adaptable network that may act to promote or suppress cancer progression. To date, the majority of anti-tumour chemotherapeutic agents have principally sought to target the cancer cell. Consequently, resistance develops because of clonal evolution, as a result of selection pressure during tumour expansion. The concept of activating or inhibiting other cell types within the tumour microenvironment is relatively novel and has the advantage of targeting cells which are genetically stable and less likely to develop resistance. This review outlines key players in the stromal tumour microenvironment and discusses potential targeting strategies that may offer therapeutic benefit.
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.; University Surgery, South Academic Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Bhome
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Al Saihati
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.; School of Medicine, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK.
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Goh
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.; University Surgery, South Academic Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Bullock
University Surgery, South Academic Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Primrose
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Thomas
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Sayan
Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Somers Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.; University Surgery, South Academic Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK.
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Mirnezami
T cell; cancer; fibroblast; microRNA; microenvironment; prognostic; stroma; therapeutic; tumour