Tumor heterogeneity and aggression
The desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) is defined by a heterogeneous extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular landscape that drive tumor progression, aggression, and therapy resistance.
The stiffened ECM stroma fuels tumor heterogeneity, malignant transformation, and therapy resistance.
Heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor stroma are key drivers of fibrosis, which, through activated mechano-signaling, promotes tumor growth, survival, invasion, and immunosuppression.
Cancer stem cell (CSC) viability, phenotype, and function are tightly controlled by genetic factors, the cellular microenvironment, and the TME’s biomechanical properties, and drive tumor heterogeneity.
https://www.cell.com/trends/cancer/fulltext/S2405-8033(25)00096-2
