Tumor stroma and regulation of cancer development

Annu Rev Pathol. 2006:1:119-50. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pathol.1.110304.100224.

Abstract

Abstract In the past 25 years, a majority of cancer studies have focused on examining functional consequences of activating and/or inactivating mutations in critical genes implicated in cell cycle control. These studies have taught us a great deal about the functions of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and the signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and/or cell death. However, such studies have largely ignored the fact that cancers are heterogeneous cellular entities whose growth is dependent upon reciprocal interactions between genetically altered "initiated" cells and the dynamic microenvironment in which they live. This review highlights the aspects of cancer development that, like organogenesis during embryonic development and tissue repair in adult mammals, are regulated by interactions between epithelial cells, activated stromal cells, and soluble and insoluble components of the extracellular matrix.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Progression
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / immunology
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Stromal Cells / immunology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / pathology*