Figures & data
Figure 1. Hallmarks of cancer. Seven processes define cancer and these processes are primarily associated with a variety of host cells that contribute to tumour growth and form the tumour's ecosystem.
Figure 2. (A) Illustration of tumour tissue with different kinds of stromal cells. In the middle a blood vessel is drawn to show that tumours tissue also contains blood vessels, which are more permeable than normal blood vessels. (B) Passive targeting: Liposomes passively targeted generally accumulate in tumour tissue because of the enhanced permeability and retention effect and are taken up by cells with phagocytic properties (macrophages). (C) Active targeting: Targeting of liposomes to specific cell types by using a cancer-associated stromal cell specific targeting ligand can influence the distribution pattern of the liposomes inside the tumour tissue. The distribution of the liposomes depends on the specificity of the targeting ligand to the target, here the possible distribution is shown when more than one cell type is targeted simultaneously.
