Cell signals integral to the tumor microenvironment influence cancer progression. Tumor-associated myeloid cells secrete pro-tumorigenic agents including, but not limited to, the potent cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). We have discovered a network of extrinsic signals including delta-like 4 (Dll4), Notch and TGFβ, linking malignant cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, a nexus portending a clinically-relevant anticancer treatment.
Keywords: Notch; Tgfβ; head and neck tumors; tumor microenvironment; tumor progression; tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells.