Cancer therapy depending on tumor stroma

Abstract

Cancers are made up of complex “ecosystems” of different cell types rather than just cancer cells. With significant involvement in tumor development, growth, and metastasis, the tumor stroma is an essential part of the tumor microenvironment. Although the tumor stroma can encourage cancer-cell resistance to anticancer treatments, the great majority of these treatments are designed to specifically kill cancer cells. Therefore, both antitumor and antistroma therapeutics should be included in future treatment strategies. The tumor stromal components can be exploited for targeted drug delivery by incorporating certain stromal components (ECM, fibroblast, cancer-associated fibroblast, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes) and homologously targeting stromal cells. The tumor microenvironment can also be changed by directly targeting components of the tumor stroma. In the present chapter, a thorough analysis of the latest developments in the understanding of the intricate reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and the tumor stroma was provided to develop potent treatment approaches for enhanced patient outcomes.