It takes a (dysfunctional) village to raise a tumor

Cell. 2008 Oct 31;135(3):408-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.10.009.

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment is known to play an important role in tumorigenesis. In this issue, Yang et al. (2008) demonstrate that mast cells heterozygous for the Nf1 gene promote the growth of neurofibromas in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis and that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of these cells is sufficient to block tumor growth.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mast Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neurofibroma / drug therapy
  • Neurofibroma / genetics
  • Neurofibroma / metabolism*
  • Neurofibroma / pathology
  • Neurofibromin 1 / genetics
  • Neurofibromin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Neurofibromin 1