Figure 2.

Key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) which comprises of multiple cell types including cancer cells, immune cells, endothelial cells, and cancer associated fibroblasts. This includes mechanical components such as fluid pressure, substratum stiffness, mechanical stress, cell-cell, and cell-matrix interactions. Also shown are some chemical components of the microenvironment such as pH, temperature, and hypoxic core of the tumor. Cell-cell and cell-TME communication is mediated by a variety of bioactive molecules during carcinogenesis.