Mbeunkui Flaubert, Johann Donald J
Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2009 Mar;63(4):571-82. doi: 10.1007/s00280-008-0881-9. Epub 2008 Dec 14.
The role of the microenvironment during the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis is now realized to be of critical importance, both for enhanced understanding of fundamental cancer biology, as well as exploiting this source of relatively new knowledge for improved molecular diagnostics and therapeutics.
This review focuses on: (1) the approaches of preparing and analyzing secreted proteins, (2) the contribution of tumor microenvironment elements in cancer, and (3) the potential molecular targets for cancer therapy.
The microenvironment of a tumor is an integral part of its physiology, structure, and function. It is an essential aspect of the tumor proper, since it supplies a nurturing environment for the malignant process. A fundamental deranged relationship between tumor and stromal cells is essential for tumor cell growth, progression, and development of life threatening metastasis. Improved understanding of this interaction may provide new and valuable clinical targets for cancer management, as well as risk assessment and prevention. Non-malignant cells and secreted proteins from tumor and stromal cells are active participants in cancer progression.
Monitoring the change in the tumor microenvironment via molecular and cellular profiles as tumor progresses would be vital for identifying cell or protein targets for cancer prevention and therapy.
现在人们认识到，微环境在致癌作用的起始和进展过程中所起的作用至关重要，这对于增进对癌症基础生物学的理解，以及利用这一相对新知识来源改善分子诊断和治疗均具有重要意义。
本综述重点关注：（1）分泌蛋白的制备和分析方法，（2）肿瘤微环境要素在癌症中的作用，以及（3）癌症治疗的潜在分子靶点。
肿瘤的微环境是其生理、结构和功能不可或缺的一部分。它是肿瘤本身的一个重要方面，因为它为恶性过程提供了一个滋养环境。肿瘤细胞与基质细胞之间根本的紊乱关系对于肿瘤细胞的生长、进展以及危及生命的转移的发生至关重要。对这种相互作用的深入理解可能为癌症管理以及风险评估和预防提供新的、有价值的临床靶点。肿瘤和基质细胞中的非恶性细胞及分泌蛋白是癌症进展的积极参与者。
随着肿瘤进展，通过分子和细胞特征监测肿瘤微环境的变化对于确定癌症预防和治疗的细胞或蛋白质靶点至关重要。
