How Does the Microenvironment Influence Tumorigenesis?
The tumor microenvironment, which includes surrounding blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, signaling molecules, and the extracellular matrix, plays a significant role in tumorigenesis. It can influence the growth, survival, and metastasis of cancer cells:
- Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels is crucial for providing nutrients and oxygen to the growing tumor.
- Immune Evasion: Cancer cells can develop mechanisms to evade detection and destruction by the immune system, facilitating their survival and growth.
