For many years, cancer research has largely been driven by a ‘tumor-centric’ approach, where the focus when searching for treatments, was primarily on the tumor cells themselves. However, recent research has revealed a more nuanced picture, showing that tumors exist within highly complex and dynamic systems that influence their growth, metastasis, and response to treatment.

This new understanding has brought the tumor microenvironment (TME) and associated stroma into sharper focus. With such a diverse array of cells, signals, and an extra-cellular matrix (ECM), there is a constant dialogue that unfolds – one that can either promote or suppress tumor progression.

Exploring this connection further, FEBS Open Bio presents its October ‘In the Limelight’ issue on ‘Tumor-Stroma Interactions’. Guest Editor Prof Isabel Fabregat (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and CIBEREHD, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona) provides an overview of the curated reviews in her accompanying editorial.

This issue continues with four timely reviews that each focus on different aspects of tumor-stroma crosstalk:

1. Skandalis et al. review the composition and function of the ECM in the TME and highlight the role of proteoglycans, hyaluronan, collagen, elastin and matricellular proteins in tumor progression.
2. Cheema et al. discuss the advances in bioengineered 3D in vitro models of the TME and their importance in understanding tumor progression and resistance to treatment.
3. Cambi et al’s focus is on stromal mechanics. They describe how cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and ECM mechanics influence tumor progression.
4. Finally, Alcaraz and colleagues, examine stromagenesis and CAFs in non-small cell lung cancer, revealing the dual tumor-restraining and tumor-promoting effects of CAFs in both primary and metastasised settings.

We invite you the read the full issue here and to explore FEBS Open Bio’s cancer section, featuring more original and valuable publications on cancer biology.

^{Cover artwork by created by Ella Maru Studio (@Ella_Maru). The illustration shows dancers moving according to the distinct melodies being played by different musicians. Similar to cells in the tumor microenvironment that are influenced by heterogeneous signals, some promoting and others suppressing.}  

[1] https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2211-5463.70074 

[2] https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2211-5463.70018 

[3] https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2211-5463.13923 

[4] https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2211-5463.70102