Advances in the regulation of vascular function by stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma and prospects for treatment.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a highly aggressive subtype of oral squamous cell carcinoma, characterised by a high risk of local recurrence and cervical lymph node metastasis; its development is closely associated with the continuous remodelling of the tumour microenvironment (TME). A growing body of evidence suggests that the malignant progression of TSCC is not solely driven by tumour cells, but is highly dependent on the dynamic interactions between stromal cells and abnormal vascular networks within the tumour microenvironment. This article reviews recent research on the regulation of vascular dysfunction by stromal cells in TSCC, outlining how they modulate tumour angiogenesis, maturation, permeability and perfusion through intercellular communication, paracrine signalling, extracellular matrix remodelling and extracellular vesicle-mediated molecular delivery, thereby further influencing TSCC invasion, metastasis, immune evasion and treatment response. Building upon this, the paper summarises key molecular mechanisms underlying the stromal-vascular axis and explores therapeutic strategies targeting this axis, particularly the theoretical basis, practical limitations and future prospects of the combined application of anti-angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy, with the aim of providing new research perspectives and translational evidence for precision interventions in TSCC.