Pericytes cross-talks within the tumor microenvironment

Cancer cells are embedded within the tumor microenvironment and interact dynamically with its components during tumor progression. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment components communicate is crucial for the success of therapeutic applications. Recent studies show, by using state-of-the-art technologies, including sophisticated in vivo inducible Cre/loxP mediated systems and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, that pericytes communicate with cancer cells. The arising knowledge on cross-talks within the tumor microenvimnment will be essential for the development of new therapies against cancer. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of pericytes roles within tumors.

Automated summary

Cancer cells interact dynamically with components of the tumor microenvironment during tumor progression, and recent studies have shown that pericytes communicate with cancer cells using advanced technologies. Understanding the cross-talk within the tumor microenvironment is crucial for developing new therapies against cancer.