The tumor microenvironment as a target for anticancer treatment

Cancer is generally considered as a (pathological) microcosm emerging from a deregulated genome occurring in a single cell. Yet, this paradigm has encompassed several shortfalls, and it is now increasingly recognized that the overall framework is very much complex as previously thought. Indeed, the cell-stroma interaction plays a pivotal role in both cancer onset and prevention, by providing a set of biophysical and biochemical cues, which drive cell towards neoplastic transformation, eventually leading to metastasis. However, experimental and clinical evidences suggest that cancers can be induced to become quiescent, differentiate, die or form completely normal tissues, if provided with the correct set of complex signals, as conveyed by embryonic tissues or other microenvironmental cues. These data suggest that by manipulating cancer microenvironment may help in opening new avenues for therapeutic solutions.