The tumour microenvironment (TME) includes a variety of non-neoplastic cells and non-cellular elements such as cytokines, growth factors and enzymes surrounding tumour cells. The TME emerged as a key modulator of tumour initiation, progression and invasion, with extensive data available in many cancers, but little is known in pituitary tumours. However, the understanding of the TME of pituitary tumours has advanced thanks to active research in this field over the last decade. Different immune and stromal cell subpopulations, and several cytokines, growth factors and matrix remodelling enzymes, have been characterised in pituitary tumours. Studying the TME in pituitary tumours may lead to a better understanding of tumourigenic mechanisms, identification of biomarkers useful to predict aggressive disease, and development of novel therapies. This review summarises the current knowledge on the different TME cellular/non-cellular elements in pituitary tumours and provides an overview of their role in tumourigenesis, biological behaviour and clinical outcomes.

中文翻译：

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垂体神经内分泌肿瘤的肿瘤微环境

肿瘤微环境（TME）包括多种非肿瘤细胞和非细胞成分，如细胞因子、生长因子和肿瘤细胞周围的酶。TME 成为肿瘤发生、进展和侵袭的关键调节剂，在许多癌症中可获得大量数据，但在垂体肿瘤中知之甚少。然而，由于过去十年在该领域的积极研究，对垂体肿瘤 TME 的理解有所进步。不同的免疫和基质细胞亚群，以及几种细胞因子、生长因子和基质重塑酶，已在垂体肿瘤中得到表征。研究垂体肿瘤中的 TME 可能会导致更好地了解致瘤机制、识别可用于预测侵袭性疾病的生物标志物以及开发新疗法。