Characterization of breast cancer preclinical models reveals a specific macrophage polarization

An abstract of the study conducted by Vallerand et al characterizating the stroma displayed by different models of breast cancer tumors in mice is presented. The results showed that each PDX and GEM tumor can be defined by its individual tumor-associated stromal matrix. Tumor cells can thus generate their own specific stromal composition, despite the absence of T cells, and maintain a complex functional network of communications and the heterogeneity of stroma component of the studied models therefore suggests that tumor cells educate their microenvironment to fulfill their needs. Models such as those described here may therefore be considered relevant tools for preclinical and pharmacological assessment to investigate tumor and stromal interactions.