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Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Cancer pp 43–63Cite as

Cancer in Context: Importance of the Tumor Microenvironment

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Abstract

Our understanding of tumor biology has evolved from the consideration of only tumor cell autonomous changes to the realization of the plethora of interactions among various cells and molecules present within the locale of a growing tumor. Characterizing this so-called “tumor microenvironment” has opened a new window of opportunity for both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. From a therapeutic perspective, an attractive feature of targeting noncancer cells is that they are not inherently genetically unstable and therefore drug resistance is less likely than in mutation-prone tumor cells. In this chapter, we consider the roles of different cell types, molecules, and environmental conditions that together constitute the unique topography of a tumor microenvironment.

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Acknowledgments

We regret that limited space precludes citing much relevant literature. The authors are supported by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, grant # BCTR0600431 (to B.F.) and by the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program New Investigator Program, award # W81XWH-07-1-0208 (to C.C.L.). Views and opinions of the authors do not reflect those of the US Army or the Department of Defense.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 771 PRB 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-6840, USA

    Barbara Fingleton

  2. Departments of Cancer Biology and Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 771 PRB 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-6840, USA

    Conor Lynch

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Correspondence to Barbara Fingleton .

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  1. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Nashville, 37232, U.S.A.

    Roy Zent

  2. Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37232, U.S.A.

    Ambra Pozzi

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Fingleton, B., Lynch, C. (2010). Cancer in Context: Importance of the Tumor Microenvironment. In: Zent, R., Pozzi, A. (eds) Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0814-8_3

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