Various cell-cell interactions within the cancer-organ system.

Interactions of cancer and malignant cells with their surroundings help dictate their survival and phenotypes. Within the homeostatic non-transformed microenvironment, various cell-cell junctions are formed ensuring the proper polarization, orientation, and proliferation of the non-malignant cells. Cell-ECM interactions provide structure and mechanical stimuli to the cellular surroundings through points of adhesion. These native interactions are disrupted by the infiltrating cancer cells which interrupt cell-cell communications and displace healthy tissue. The cancer cells undergo the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in order to metastasize and do not experience the same proliferative inhibition provided by non-malignant cell-cell communication. Well-established communication between cancerous cells increases survival by avoiding anoikis and promoting chemoresistance. Finally, the surrounding ECM, which is stiffened by the presence of the expanding cancer mass, aids in additional cancer cell migration, and an altered mechanical environment will feed forward the progression of the disease.