How Does the Tumor Microenvironment Contribute to Drug Resistance?
The TME can promote drug resistance through several mechanisms. For instance, hypoxia, a common feature of the TME, can lead to the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which in turn promote cancer cell survival and resistance to therapy. Additionally, interactions between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells can activate signaling pathways that diminish the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
