| الوصف: |
Tumor and its embedding microenvironment form a unique, dynamic system, largely orch‐ estrated by cellular players, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells (EC), and surround‐ ing extracellular matrix (ECM) with its distinctive physical, biochemical, and biomechanical properties. There is a general consensus that, beyond genetic mutations and epigenetic mod‐ ifications, the dialogue that occurs between tumor and its microenvironment, through solu‐ ble factors and molecular interactions, may affect tumor cells survival, growth, proliferation, response to chemical/physical factors, and lies the basis for metastatization to distant, specif‐ ic organs. This theory was proposed by Paget in the 1880s [1], who underlined the need, for investigating and targeting tumor, to focus not only on the cancer cell, “the seed”, but also on the “soil” where tumor homes and in which it derives its nutrients, oxygen and signals [2, 3]. Accordingly, tight links between tumor and surrounding microenvironment could de‐ termine the overall sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs and therefore represent an attractive therapeutic target [4]. |