Abstract IA24: How tumors regulate their microenvironment in primary sites and metastasis

In 1863, Virchow hypothesized that the cancer originated at sites of chronic tissue injury and that the ensuing inflammation they cause enhances cell proliferation. While it is now clear that proliferation of tumor cells alone does not cause cancer, sustained cell proliferation in an environment rich in inflammatory cells, growth factors, activated stroma certainly potentiates and/or promotes neoplastic risk and leads to metastasis. In fact, sometimes the trigger for neoplastic progression may come from signals within the stromal microenvironment. The stromal microenvironment consists of fibroblasts, macrophages, neutrophils, vascular components, nerves and inflammatory cells of the innate and acquired immune response, as well as the extracellular matrix that they elaborate along with the molecules that are concentrated and immobilized on it. All of these components communicate with each other and with the neoplastic cells to contribute to the aberrant tumor organ. 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PMCID: PMC20223936. Citation Format: Amy Jo Casbon, Marja Lohela, Vicki Plaks, Zena Werb. How tumors regulate their microenvironment in primary sites and metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; Oct 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2013;11(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA24.