How Does the Tumor Microenvironment Affect Immune Responses?
The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of cancer cells, surrounding stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components. The TME can be immunosuppressive, creating a hostile environment for immune cells. Factors such as hypoxia, the presence of inhibitory cytokines like TGF-β, and the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells like Tregs and MDSCs can hinder effective immune responses.
