Abstract

Mutationally corrupted cancer (stem) cells are the driving force of tumor development and progression. Yet, these transformed cells cannot do it alone. Assemblages of ostensibly normal tissue and bone marrow-derived (stromal) cells are recruited to constitute tumorigenic microenvironments. Most of the hallmarks of cancer are enabled and sustained to varying degrees through contributions from repertoires of stromal cell types and distinctive subcell types. Their contributory functions to hallmark capabilities are increasingly well understood, as are the reciprocal communications with neoplastic cancer cells that mediate their recruitment, activation, programming, and persistence. This enhanced understanding presents interesting new targets for anticancer therapy.

Keywords

Stromal cellCancer researchCancer cellTumor microenvironmentCancerBiologyNeoplastic transformationMalignant transformationCancer stem cellStem cellBone marrowCell biologyCarcinogenesisImmunologyTumor cellsGenetics

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Publication Info

Year
2012
Type
review
Volume
21
Issue
3
Pages
309-322
Citations
4532
Access
Closed

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Douglas Hanahan, Lisa M. Coussens (2012). Accessories to the Crime: Functions of Cells Recruited to the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Cell , 21 (3) , 309-322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2012.02.022

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.ccr.2012.02.022