In what ways does the TME contribute to drug resistance?
Drug resistance in cancer is a significant challenge and is often mediated by the TME. Cancer-associated fibroblasts can secrete growth factors and cytokines that promote survival signaling pathways in cancer cells, while immune cells within the TME can suppress cytotoxic T-cell activity, facilitating immune evasion. Additionally, the extracellular matrix can act as a physical barrier to drug penetration, reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy agents.
