The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an abundant noncellular component of most solid tumors known to support tumor progression and metastasis. The interplay between the ECM and cancer therapeutics opens up new avenues in understanding cancer biology. While the ECM is known to protect the tumor from anticancer agents by serving as a biomechanical barrier, emerging studies show that various cancer therapies induce ECM remodeling, resulting in therapy resistance and tumor progression. This review discusses critical issues in this field including how the ECM influences treatment outcome, how cancer therapies affect ECM remodeling, and the challenges associated with targeting the ECM. Significance: The intricate relationship between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancer therapeutics reveals novel insights into tumor biology and its effective treatment. While the ECM may protect tumors from anti-cancer agents, recent research highlights the paradoxical role of therapy-induced ECM remodeling in promoting treatment resistance and tumor progression. This review explores the key aspects of the interplay between ECM and cancer therapeutics.

中文翻译：

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细胞外基质重塑与癌症治疗之间的相互作用


细胞外基质（ECM）是大多数实体瘤中丰富的非细胞成分，已知支持肿瘤进展和转移。 ECM 和癌症治疗之间的相互作用为理解癌症生物学开辟了新途径。虽然众所周知 ECM 通过充当生物力学屏障来保护肿瘤免受抗癌药物的侵害，但新兴研究表明，各种癌症疗法会诱导 ECM 重塑，从而导致治疗抵抗和肿瘤进展。这篇综述讨论了该领域的关键问题，包括 ECM 如何影响治疗结果、癌症治疗如何影响 ECM 重塑以及与靶向 ECM 相关的挑战。意义：细胞外基质（ECM）和癌症治疗之间错综复杂的关系揭示了对肿瘤生物学及其有效治疗的新见解。虽然 ECM 可以保护肿瘤免受抗癌药物的侵害，但最近的研究强调了治疗诱导的 ECM 重塑在促进治疗抵抗和肿瘤进展方面的矛盾作用。本综述探讨了 ECM 与癌症治疗之间相互作用的关键方面。