The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a complex and constantly evolving collection of cells and extracellular components. Cancer cells and the surrounding environment influence each other through different types of processes. Characteristics of the TME include abnormal vasculature, altered extracellular matrix, cancer-associated fibroblast and macrophages, immune cells, and secreted factors. Within these components, several molecules and pathways are altered and take part in the support of the tumour. Epigenetic regulation, kinases, phosphatases, metabolic regulators, and hormones are some of the players that influence and contribute to shaping the tumour and the TME. All these characteristics contribute significantly to cancer progression, metastasis, and immune escape, and may be the target for new approaches for cancer treatment.
肿瘤微环境（TME）是一个复杂且持续演变的细胞与细胞外成分集合体。癌细胞与其周围环境通过不同类型的相互作用过程相互影响。肿瘤微环境的特征包括异常血管结构、改变的细胞外基质、癌症相关成纤维细胞与巨噬细胞、免疫细胞以及分泌因子。在这些组分中，多种分子与信号通路发生改变并参与对肿瘤的支撑作用。表观遗传调控、激酶、磷酸酶、代谢调节因子及激素等是影响并参与塑造肿瘤及肿瘤微环境的重要因素。所有这些特征对癌症进展、转移及免疫逃逸具有显著促进作用，并可能成为癌症治疗新策略的潜在靶点。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家