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Usage Information

Leveraging microenvironmental synthetic lethalities to treat cancer
Kevin J. Metcalf, Alaa Alazzeh, Zena Werb, Valerie M. Weaver
Kevin J. Metcalf, Alaa Alazzeh, Zena Werb, Valerie M. Weaver
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Review Series

Leveraging microenvironmental synthetic lethalities to treat cancer

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Abstract

Treatment resistance leads to cancer patient mortality. Therapeutic approaches that employ synthetic lethality to target mutational vulnerabilities in key tumor cell signaling pathways have proven effective in overcoming therapeutic resistance in some cancers. Yet, tumors are organs composed of malignant cells residing within a cellular and noncellular stroma. Tumor evolution and resistance to anticancer treatment are mediated through a dynamic and reciprocal dialogue with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accordingly, expanding tumor cell synthetic lethality to encompass contextual synthetic lethality has the potential to eradicate tumors by targeting critical TME circuits that promote tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. In this Review, we summarize current knowledge about the TME and discuss its role in treatment. We outline the concept of tumor cell–specific synthetic lethality and describe therapeutic approaches to expand this paradigm to leverage TME synthetic lethality to improve cancer therapy.

Authors

Kevin J. Metcalf, Alaa Alazzeh, Zena Werb, Valerie M. Weaver

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Usage data is cumulative from March 2025 through March 2026.

Usage JCI PMC
Text version 977 101
PDF 136 33
Figure 139 0
Citation downloads 80 0
Totals 1,332 134
Total Views 1,466
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Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.

Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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