Neoplastic Bone Marrow Niche: Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The neoplastic niche comprises complex interactions between multiple cell typesand molecules requiring cell-cell signaling as well as local secretion. These nichesare important for both the maintenance of cancer stem cells and the inductionof neoplastic cells survival and proliferation. Each niche contains a population oftumor stem cells supported by a closely associated vascular bed comprising mesenchyme-derived cells and extracellular matrix. Targeting cancer stem cells andneoplastic niche may provide new therapies to eradicate tumors. Much progresshas been very recently made in the understanding of the cellular and molecularinteractions in the microenvironment of neoplastic niches. This review articleprovides an overview of the neoplastic niches in the bone marrow. In addition tohighlighting recent advances in the field, we will also discuss components of theniche and their signaling pathways