For many years, malignant cells have been the main source of interest in cancer research since they enable the independent growth and survival of tumor cells. Yet malignant cells alone do not provide all the answers because tumors also need support from a range of surrounding cells.
https://www.news-medical.net/whitepaper/20180418/Tumor-Microenvironment-and-the-Immune-System-Pathway.aspx
Tumor Microenvironment and the Immune System Pathway