Tumors are composed of a group of heterogeneous cells including blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, signaling molecules and the extracellular matrix. The tumor cells and their microenvironment are closely related and interact constantly to support tumor growth. Tumors can influence the microenvironment by releasing extracellular signals, promoting tumor angiogenesis and inducing peripheral immune tolerance, while the immune cells in the microenvironment can affect the growth and evolution of cancerous cells.
At Curon, we utilize the unique characteristics of tumor microenvironment (TME) to design molecules that can specifically target TME with limited systemic toxicity. We believe that once we adjust the TME, the tumor cells will be eradicated.