The development of cancer is not just the growth and proliferation of a single transformed cell, but its surrounding environment also coevolves with it. Indeed, successful cancer progression depends on the ability of the tumor cells to develop a supportive tumor microenvironment consisting of various types of stromal cells. The interactions between the tumor and stromal cells are bidirectional and mediated through a variety of growth factors, cytokines, metabolites, and other biomolecules secreted by these cells. Tumor-stromal crosstalk creates optimal conditions for the tumor growth, metastasis, evasion of immune surveillance, and therapy resistance, and its targeting is being explored for clinical management of cancer. Natural agents from plants and marine life have been at the forefront of traditional medicine. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported the health benefits imparted on the consumption of certain fruits, vegetables, and their derived products. Indeed, a significant majority of anti-cancer drugs in clinical use are either naturally occurring compounds or their derivatives. In this review, we describe fundamental cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and discuss the significance of natural compounds in their targeting. Existing literature provides hope that novel prevention and therapeutic approaches will emerge from ongoing scientific efforts leading to the reduced tumor burden and improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

癌症的发展不仅仅是单个转化细胞的生长和增殖，其周围环境也与之共同进化。事实上，成功的癌症进展取决于肿瘤细胞发展由各种类型的基质细胞组成的支持性肿瘤微环境的能力。肿瘤和基质细胞之间的相互作用是双向的，并通过这些细胞分泌的各种生长因子、细胞因子、代谢物和其他生物分子进行介导。肿瘤间质串扰为肿瘤生长、转移、逃避免疫监视和治疗抵抗创造了最佳条件，并且正在探索其靶向以用于癌症的临床管理。来自植物和海洋生物的天然药物一直处于传统医学的前沿。许多流行病学研究报告了食用某些水果、蔬菜及其衍生产品对健康有益。事实上，临床使用的绝大多数抗癌药物都是天然存在的化合物或其衍生物。在这篇综述中，我们描述了肿瘤微环境的基本细胞和非细胞成分，并讨论了天然化合物在其靶向中的重要性。现有文献提供了希望，即新的预防和治疗方法将从正在进行的科学努力中出现，从而减少肿瘤负担并改善癌症患者的临床结果。临床使用的绝大多数抗癌药物是天然存在的化合物或其衍生物。在这篇综述中，我们描述了肿瘤微环境的基本细胞和非细胞成分，并讨论了天然化合物在其靶向中的重要性。现有文献提供了希望，即新的预防和治疗方法将从正在进行的科学努力中出现，从而减少肿瘤负担并改善癌症患者的临床结果。临床使用的绝大多数抗癌药物是天然存在的化合物或其衍生物。在这篇综述中，我们描述了肿瘤微环境的基本细胞和非细胞成分，并讨论了天然化合物在其靶向中的重要性。现有文献提供了希望，即新的预防和治疗方法将从正在进行的科学努力中出现，从而减少肿瘤负担并改善癌症患者的临床结果。