The Power of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Systemic Approach for a Systemic Disease

Cancer is increasingly recognized as not solely a disease of the genes and chromosomes but as a systemic disease that affects numerous components of the host including blood vessel formation, immune cell function, and nutrient recycling. This review summarizes a variety of time-dependent mathematical models that focus on the consequences of tumor growth within an evolving microenvironment, represented by a dynamic carrying capacity. Transcending the specifics of each model, their overview reveals that the key to tumor control really lies in controlling the support furnished the tumor by its microenvironment.