Role of platelets and breast cancer stem cells in metastasis

Figure 1 Tumor microenvironment in breast cancer. The figure describes the microenvironment present in cancer development. The tumor grows in an allowable microenvironment delimited by an extracellular matrix and inside there is a series of biomolecules such as cytokines, chemokines, miRNAs, growth factors. Furthermore, different cell types, such as breast cancer stem cells, platelets, tumor-associated macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, contribute to the optimal conditions for cancer development. Biomolecules and cells, all orchestrate to promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Created by Biorender.com. BCSC: Breast cancer stem cells; MSC: Mesenchymal stem cell; ECM: Extracellular matrix; TAM: Tumor-associated macrophage; CAF: Cancer-associated fibroblast. Created with Biorender.com