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Abstract
<p class="first" id="d8764138e69">The tumor microenvironment significantly influences
therapeutic response and clinical
outcome. Microenvironment-mediated drug resistance can be induced by soluble factors
secreted by tumor or stromal cells. The adhesion of tumor cells to stromal fibroblasts
or to components of the extracellular matrix can also blunt therapeutic response.
Microenvironment-targeted therapy strategies include inhibition of the extracellular
ligand-receptor interactions and downstream pathways. Immune cells can both improve
and obstruct therapeutic efficacy and may vary in their activation status within the
tumor microenvironment; thus, re-programme of the immune response would be substantially
more beneficial. The development of rational drug combinations that can simultaneously
target tumor cells and the microenvironment may represent a solution to overcome therapeutic
resistance.
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