Figure 3

Model depicting the role of the microenvironment in suppressing or promoting the tumor cell metastatic phenotype. Current data suggest that the microenvironment can suppress a malignant cell from forming an aggressive tumor. Similarly, early-stage lesions can be promoted by a microenvironment that is either permissive or instructive for metastasis. Thus, the stroma is identified as an important target for preventive and therapeutic drug development.