Dynamism, Sensitivity, and Consequences of Mesenchymal and Stem-Like Phenotype of Cancer Cells

Figure 3

Tumor microenvironment and cancer cell phenotype. Schematic representation of TME influence on stemness and mesenchymal properties of cancer cells. The dynamic phenotype of cancer cells (stemness, EMT) is regulated by several signaling pathways. TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways are activated by different microenvironmental factors like MSCs, CAFs, TAMs, MDSCs, or hypoxia. Exosomes derived from respective cell types play an important role in intercellular paracrine communication.