Fig. 2.

Tumor cell interactions with the tumor microenvironment. The heterogeneous microenvironments of tumors are associated with the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), immune suppression, metabolic alteration (low nutrient adaptation), conversion of cells (cell differentiation), induced hypoxic conditions and developed resistance to therapies. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).