Baker Stuart G, Sauter Edward R
Independent Researcher, Columbia, MD 21044, USA.
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Cancers (Basel). 2025 Apr 29;17(9):1491. doi: 10.3390/cancers17091491.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major driver of tumorigenesis, yet its role in cancer prevention has received relatively little attention. Here, we discuss studies linking the ECM to cancer initiation with an emphasis on ECM stiffness and remodeling, pericytes, and hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid). We then share our thoughts on how an ECM viewpoint could lead to new insights and directions in cancer-prevention research. Topics discussed include mouse experiments, clinical studies, risk factors, biomarkers for risk prediction or the early detection of cancer, surrogate endpoints, and targets for preventive interventions.
细胞外基质（ECM）是肿瘤发生的主要驱动因素，但其在癌症预防中的作用相对较少受到关注。在此，我们讨论将ECM与癌症起始联系起来的研究，重点关注ECM硬度与重塑、周细胞和透明质酸。然后，我们分享关于ECM观点如何能为癌症预防研究带来新见解和方向的想法。讨论的主题包括小鼠实验、临床研究、风险因素、用于风险预测或癌症早期检测的生物标志物、替代终点以及预防性干预的靶点。
