Preface

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial aspect of all cancer types. It is well established now that TME plays an important role in both the control and the development of solid tumors. The histology of TME consists of a variety of normal resident and recruited cells, which are involved in concise and dynamic interactions with cancer cells. These interactions, which occur via released factors or cell-to-cell contact, are fundamental in tumor-induced suppression and metastatic dissemination of cancer cells, ultimately leading to morbidity and/or mortality for most cancer patients. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms by which the TME contributes to the inhibition or promotion of cancer, enabling the emergence of a range of novel targeted therapies. In addition to stroma-targeted strategies, checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy has emerged as a new treatment of choice for many advanced cancers. However, many cancer patients remain resistant to current therapies, necessitating the development of more innovative therapeutic strategies based on the identification of new targets and combining drugs that could counteract resistance. In this book, *Tumor Microenvironment – New Insights*, the authors highlight this aspect with chapters that describe and discuss innovative and impactful studies.

Prominent efforts and collaborations with leading experts in cancer were crucial in achieving this highly valuable book. We thank all the authors for their tremendous expertise and their exceptional quality in pointing out the crucial role of TME in cancer. Understanding and targeting TME constitutes a new hope for cancer patients, particularly those with advanced diseases.

> **Ahmed Lasfar** Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Rutgers University, NJ, USA

**1**

Section 1

Novel Diagnosis and

Treatment of Cancer

Section 1
