Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) represent the most common neoplasia among young men. Management of TGCTs is an excellent example of curative outcomes in clinical oncology. The unique sensitivity to cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens has led to establishing TGCTs as a "model of cancer cure." However, mechanisms and factors underlying pervasive growth of TGCTs are still poorly understood. It is suggested that unique cancer stem cell (CSC) niche exists in the testicular tumor microenvironment. CSC niche potentially contributes to the progression of germ cell tumors. Furthermore, rich infiltration of TGCTs with immune cells indicates involvement of immune system in biology of this cancer type. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding specific cancer microenvironment in TGCTs and discusses the role of cancer stem cells as well as immune mechanisms in these tumors.
Keywords: Cancer stem cells; Cytokines; Embryonal carcinoma; Gene polymorphism; Germ cell neoplasia in situ; Hypoxia; Immune cell infiltration; Immune privilege; Immune-related biomarkers; Immunity; Microenvironment; Pluripotency; Spermatogonial stem cell niche; Testicular germ cell tumors; WNT/βcatenin.