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Prostate Microenvironment

Meaning

The Prostate Microenvironment is the complex, dynamic local ecosystem within the prostate gland, encompassing not only the epithelial and stromal cells but also the extracellular matrix, immune cells, nerve fibers, and secreted signaling molecules. This intricate niche is a critical regulator of normal prostate function and tissue homeostasis, heavily influenced by androgen and estrogen hormones. In the context of disease, the microenvironment undergoes significant remodeling, becoming a “reactive stroma” that actively promotes the initiation, progression, and metastatic spread of prostate cancer.