How Does the Tumor Microenvironment Affect the Threshold?
The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in modulating the biological threshold. It consists of stromal cells, immune cells, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix, which interact with cancer cells. Factors such as hypoxia, inflammation, and immune suppression can lower the threshold for tumor progression. For example, chronic inflammation can lead to DNA damage, promoting oncogenic mutations and helping cancer cells overcome growth-limiting thresholds.
