The peritumor microenvironment: physics and immunity

HighlightsUnique physical and immune signatures are present in the peritumor compared with the intratumor and healthy tissue.Immune cell activity and signaling responds directly to physical cues from the microenvironment, resulting in altered differentiation and response.Tumors respond to physical and immune cues that result in either a pro- or antitumorigenic response.Exploiting weaknesses as well as targeting physical and immune components in the peritumor microenvironment is an emerging strategy for designing novel tumor-targeting therapeutics.AbstractCancer initiation and progression drastically alter the microenvironment at the interface between healthy and malignant tissue. This site, termed the peritumor, bears unique physical and immune attributes that together further promote tumor progression through interconnected mechanical signaling and immune activity. In this review, we describe the distinct physical features of the peritumoral microenvironment and link their relationship to immune responses. The peritumor is a region rich in biomarkers and therapeutic targets and thus is a key focus for future cancer research as well as clinical outlooks, particularly to understand and overcome novel mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.