Figure 2.

TMV-mediated modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Accruing literature suggests that shed TMVs can condition the stromal microenvironment to promote angiogenesis, evasion of the immune response, tumor invasion, and, potentially, metastasis. TMVs released from tumor cells (brown) can be taken up by cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (blue), with consequences for target cell behavior. They can also interact with the extracellular matrix by depositing paracrine information or facilitating matrix degradation, thereby creating paths of least resistance.