Components of the microenvironment of soft tissue sarcomas. Part I

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms characterized by aggressive course and poor response to treatment. This determines the relevance of research aimed at studying the pathogenesis of STS. The tumor microenvironment consists of stromal, immune cells, blood, lymphatic vessels, and extracellular matrix. By now, it is known that STS is characterized by complex relationships between tumor cells and components of the microenvironment. Dynamic interactions between tumor cells and components of the microenvironment enhance adaptation to changing environmental conditions, which provides high aggressive potential of STS and resistance to antitumor therapy. Basic research aimed at investigating the role of microenvironmental components in STS carcinogenesis may serve as a key to the discovery of both new prognostic predictor biomarkers and targets for new antitumor drugs. This review article is devoted to the role and interaction of STS cells with components of the microenvironment.