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Tumor physiology, biochemistry, structural organization, and cellular composition are believed to make
integrated contributions to cancer pathology. e tumor stroma for one includes the basement mem-
brane, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and nonmalignant cells in the tumor, and plays signicant roles
in tumor growth and metastasis [1,2]. e biochemical and phenotypic changes in stromal cells sur-
rounding malignant tumor cells, including immune cells and connective tissue cells such as broblasts
(a principal collagen-producing cell type), modify the synthesis and breakdown of key ECM compo-
nents, resulting in a “reactive stroma” character ...