Journal of Oncology Translational Research

Tipping Tumor Microenvironment against Drug Resistance

Abstract

Daohong Chen and Xiaoshi Zhang

Tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a structural hallmark of solid neoplasms, and plays a critical role in multiple aspects of oncologic pathogenesis such as local invasion and immune escaping, thus substantially contributing to malignant metastasis and anti-cancer drug resistance. TME is composed of highly heterogeneous and dynamic components including vascular cells, immune network, adipocytes, fibroblasts, among others. Pathologically meaningful interactions occur between malignant cells and TME, also between the stromal cells within TME itself, consequently raising a challenging hurdle for a broad spectrum of anti-cancer agents to achieve the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we sort out an updated understanding of TME biology with an emphasis on its roles in affecting clinical outcomes, and propose to better manage anti-cancer drug resistance through timely targeting the principal cellular components in TME by utilizing clinically available medicines.