The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression: A Pathological Approach to Biomarker Discovery | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||||
| Volume 67, Issue 13, December 2024, Page 1713-1724 PDF (548.9 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Review Articles | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2024.342983.10950 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| Fehan Falah Alhomidany1; Abdulqader Ali Ahmed Muthaffar2; Zahra Hajji Bohassan3; Salman M. Muyidi4; Nossiba Hussain Arkoubi2; Afaf Wazen Alsulami2; Effat Adnan Kadi2; Yousef Sami Aldawaa5; Mohammed Ibrahim Zuayr6; Mohammad Ghaleb Al-Amari7; Wejdan Mohammed Alhazmi8; Riyad Ibrahim Ali Zaidan9; Badria Abdulmajeed Dakhilallah Almalki10; Sami Mohammed Alharbi11 | ||||
| 1Comet General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 2General King Fahad Hospital Jeddah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 3Community Laboratory In Al-Hassa, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 4Jazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 5Wadi Al-Dawasir General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 6King Fahad specialty hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 7Health Center Alhjrah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 8Hospital branch in Jazan, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 9Jazan Health Cluster Chest Diseases Hospital in Jazan, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 10Consultant - Medical Microbiology, Alyamama Hospital; , Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| 11Forensic Medical Services Center, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the progression of various cancers, influencing both tumor growth and therapeutic responses. Comprising multiple cellular components such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, therapeutic interventions like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can further modify their composition, potentially affecting treatment outcomes. Aim: This review aims to examine the role of the TME in cancer progression, focusing on its components and the potential of targeted imaging for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. It explores how understanding the TME’s cellular heterogeneity and response to treatment could improve cancer management, particularly through molecular imaging. Methods: We reviewed preclinical and clinical studies that investigated TME-targeted imaging agents, including radiotracers and biomarkers associated with CAFs, cancer stem cells (CSCs), ECM, and immune cells. Various imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), were explored for their potential in diagnosing and monitoring cancer progression. Results: Studies identified specific biomarkers such as fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and collagen type I as key targets for imaging TME components. Radiotracers like [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 demonstrated improved diagnostic sensitivity and tumor-specific imaging compared to conventional markers like [18F]-FDG. These imaging agents enabled better visualization of TME-related factors. Conclusion: Targeting the TME using advanced imaging techniques holds significant promise for enhancing cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring. The integration of molecular imaging with TME biomarkers offers a path to more personalized and effective cancer treatments. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Tumor Microenvironment; Cancer Progression; Molecular Imaging; Biomarkers; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts; Imaging Modalities; Extracellular Matrix | ||||
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