TY - JOUR AB - Oncogene activation and tumor-suppressor gene inactivation are considered as the main causes driving the transformation of normal somatic cells into malignant tumor cells. Cancer cells are the driving force of tumor development and progression. Yet, cancer cells are unable to accomplish this alone. The tumor microenvironment is also considered to play an active role rather than simply acting as a by-stander in tumor progression. Through different pathways, tumor cells efficiently recruit stromal cells, which in turn, provide tumor cell growth signals, intermediate metabolites, and provide a suitable environment for tumor progression as well as metastasis. Through reciprocal communication, cancer cells and the microenvironment act in collusion leading to high proliferation and metastatic capability. Understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment in tumor progression provides us with novel approaches through which to target the tumor microenvironment for efficient anticancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms involved in the recruitment of stromal cells by tumor cells to the primary tumor site and highlight the role of the tumor microenvironment in the regulation of tumor progression. We further discuss the potential approaches for cancer therapy. AD - State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China AU - Yuan,Yao AU - Jiang,Yu-Chen AU - Sun,Chong-Kui AU - Chen,Qian-Ming DA - 2016/05/01 DO - 10.3892/or.2016.4660 EP - 2515 IS - 5 JO - Oncol Rep KW - tumor microenvironment stromal cell metastasis cancer therapy PY - 2016 SN - 1021-335X 1791-2431 SP - 2499 ST - Role of the tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and the clinical applications (Review) T2 - Oncology Reports TI - Role of the tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and the clinical applications (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2016.4660 VL - 35 ER -