How Does the TME Contribute to Treatment Resistance?
The TME can contribute to treatment resistance through various mechanisms: 1. Physical Barriers: The dense ECM can impede the delivery of therapeutic agents. 2. Hypoxia: Low oxygen levels within the TME can lead to resistance to radiation and certain chemotherapies. 3. Cellular Interactions: Interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells can activate survival pathways that counteract the effects of anticancer therapies.
