L18 - TME and cell balancing tumour growth II

Question 1

TGF-beta: what is it, what does it do, and how does it affect cancer cells?

Answer 1

Transforming growth factor-beta

• Pre-malignant cells - tumour suppressor, apoptosis, etc
• Malignant cells - tumour promoting, immune evasion, metastasis, etc

Question 2

CAFs: what are they and what do they do?

Answer 2

Cancer-associated fibroblasts

• Accelerate tumour formation
• Drive neovascularization

Question 3

Macrophages: what do they do?

Answer 3

• Important for tumour stromal reorganisation
• Secrete mitogenic and angiogenic factors

Question 4

Angiogenic switch: what is it?

Answer 4

The switch from

Question 5

Angiogenesis: what is it?

Answer 5

Formation of new vasculature

Rate-limiting step in cancer formation