6th Annual Tumor Microenvironment Symposium: Mechanisms & Therapeutic Implications

Tumors are composite of many different cellular and non-cellular constituents that surround the malignant cancer cells harboring activating mutations in oncogenes or loss of tumor suppressors that drive tumor growth. The functional contribution of tumor microenvironments (TME) constituents such as leukocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells (both blood and lymphatic), and other stromal components is evolving. It has been appreciated for some time that TME plays a significant role in disease progression, but the precise function of each constituent remains unknown. A variety of infiltrating immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and angiogenic endothelial cells play expanding and critical functions in sustaining cell proliferation, evading growth suppressors, promoting survival, activating invasion and metastasis, and reprogramming energy metabolism. Some constituents of the TME are also involved in restraining tumor growth and metastasis.

Topics Covered:

• Tumor Determinants of TME
• New Technologies of TME Analysis
• Tissue Niche Control of Cancer Progression
• Immune Control of Cancer Progression