title: Role of tumor microenvironment in tumorigenesis.
abstract: Tumorigenesis is a complex and dynamic process, consisting of three stages: initiation, progression, and metastasis. Tumors are encircled by extracellular matrix (ECM) and stromal cells, and the physiological state of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely connected to every step of tumorigenesis. Evidence suggests that the vital components of the TME are fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, neuroendocrine cells, adipose cells, immune and inflammatory cells, the blood and lymphatic vascular networks, and ECM. This manuscript, based on the current studies of the TME, offers a more comprehensive overview of the primary functions of each component of the TME in cancer initiation, progression, and invasion. The manuscript also includes primary therapeutic targeting markers for each player, which may be helpful in treating tumors.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Maonan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Jingzhou
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Lishen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Yingfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Zhaojian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Jianda
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Xiayu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Guiyuan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Zhaoyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China;; Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
keywords: adipose cells; angiogenesis; cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs); immune-inflammatory cells; neuroendocrine cells