The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been recognized as an integral component of malignancies in breast and prostate tissues, contributing in confounding ways to tumor progression, metastasis, therapy resistance and disease recurrence. Major components of the TME are immune cells, fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSCs), and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Herein, we discuss the molecular and cellular heterogeneity within the TME and how this presents unique challenges and opportunities for treating breast and prostate cancers.
Keywords: Cancer Associated Fibroblasts; Cancer Progression/Recurrence; EMT; Extracellular matrix (ECM); Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs); Metastasis; Signaling Pathways; Therapy Resistances; Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs); Tumor Microenvironment (TME).