Cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment: the role of secretome

Abstract

Over the past years, it has become evident that cancer initiation and progression depends on several components of the tumor microenvironment, including inflammatory and immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, and extracellular matrix. These components of the tumor microenvironment and the neoplastic cells interact with each other providing pro and antitumor signals. The tumor-stroma communication occurs directly between cells or via a variety of molecules secreted, such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and microRNAs. This secretome, which derives not only from tumor cells but also from cancer-associated stromal cells, is an important source of key regulators of the tumorigenic process. Their screening and characterization could provide useful biomarkers to improve cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of treatment responses.Agência financiadora Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) FAPESP 10/51168-0 12/06048-2 13/03839-1 National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) CNPq 306216/2010-8 Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) UID/BIM/04773/2013 CBMR 1334info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio