Can the Tumor Microenvironment Be Targeted for Cancer Therapy?
Yes, the TME is a promising target for cancer therapy. Approaches include: - Anti-angiogenic therapies: These inhibit blood vessel formation to starve the tumor of nutrients. - Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs release the brakes on the immune system, allowing it to attack cancer cells. - Stromal cell targeting: Strategies to modulate the activity of CAFs or other stromal cells to disrupt their support for cancer cells. - Normalization of the ECM: Adjusting the composition and structure of the ECM to reduce tumor growth and spread.
