Cancer Microenvironment

The cancer microenvironment refers to the surrounding cells, blood vessels, immune system components, and signaling molecules that exist around a tumor. This environment influences how the cancer grows, spreads, and responds to treatment. Some parts of the microenvironment can help the cancer survive and evade the immune system, making it more difficult to eliminate. Understanding this ecosystem is important for developing therapies that target not just the tumor itself but also its surroundings to improve treatment outcomes.