Microenvironmental Effects on Tumour Progression and Metastasis

Abstract

The microenvironment of a tumour differs significantly from that of a normal tissue due to abnormal vasculature and altered cellular metabolism in tumours. Microenvironmental conditions in tumours, which include hypoxia, acidity, nutrient deprivation and high interstitial fluid pressure, have been associated with metastatic tumour progression both experimentally and clinically. The mechanisms by which this occurs are believed to include genomic instability, changes in gene expression levels and microenvironment-mediated selective pressure. These genomic changes modify cell survival and growth during the angiogenic, migratory and invasive stages of tumour progression and metastasis. This chapter summarises the data examining links between tumour microenvironment and metastasis and discusses the possibility of using microenvironmentally regulated genes as intrinsic prognostic markers.