Cancer-associated Fibroblasts: from Basic Science to Anticancer Therapy

Overview

Journal Exp Mol Med

Specialties Biochemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2023 Jul 2

PMID 37394578

Authors

Dakai Yang

Jing Liu

Hui Qian

Qin Zhuang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as a central component of the tumor microenvironment in primary and metastatic tumors, profoundly influence the behavior of cancer cells and are involved in cancer progression through extensive interactions with cancer cells and other stromal cells. Furthermore, the innate versatility and plasticity of CAFs allow their education by cancer cells, resulting in dynamic alterations in stromal fibroblast populations in a context-dependent manner, which highlights the importance of precise assessment of CAF phenotypical and functional heterogeneity. In this review, we summarize the proposed origins and heterogeneity of CAFs as well as the molecular mechanisms regulating the diversity of CAF subpopulations. We also discuss current strategies to selectively target tumor-promoting CAFs, providing insights and perspectives for future research and clinical studies involving stromal targeting.

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