The fate of cancer cells is predicted not only by its intrinsic oncogenic
engines, but also by its surrounding milieu. Beyond the tumor margin at the tumor
microenvironment (TME), there is an orchestra of immune cells and soluble mediators
known as the cellular and non-cellular components of TME that shape the tumor
architecture. Several reports have focused on immune cells influencing the cellular
components of the TME, therefore the main focus of our chapter will be the noncellular
components of TME. The non-cellular components of TME include cytokines,
chemokines, growth factors, inflammatory and extra-cellular matrix remodeling
enzymes that are released by the tumor cells or associated immune cells in the TME.
These soluble mediators outline the progression of the disease by mediating the
communication taking place between the tumor cell itself and its surrounding.
Considering that TME is a critical determinant in unraveling the complexity of cancer
cells, thus, zooming in at the TME would definitely help us pave the road for new
combinatory immuno-oncological interventions incorporating the TME in their
mechanism of action and thus lowering the chances of relapse rates among cancer
patients.
Keywords: Angiogenesis, Angiogenic switch, Cancer Associated Fibroblasts
(CAF), Cytokines, Chemokines, Extracellular Matrix (ECM), Growth factors
(GFs), Hypoxia, Hypoxia inducing Factor-1 (HIF-1), Inflammation, Immune
surveillance, Remodeling enzymes, Tumor microenvironment (TME), Tumor
Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), T cell exhaustion, Tumor associated
Macrophages (TAMs).
