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Strategies of targeting pathological stroma for enhanced antitumor therapies

Yun Zhu1, Fangying Yu2, Yanan Tan3

  • 1Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, People's Republic of China; Ocean College, Zhejiang University, 1 Zheda Road, Zhoushan, 316021, People's Republic of China.

Pharmacological Research
|August 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) create pathological stroma that impedes cancer therapies. This review explores targeting CAFs and stroma for improved drug delivery and tumor treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

  • Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and associated stromal components form pathological stroma in desmoplastic tumors.
  • This pathological stroma can impede the distribution of therapeutic agents and reduce tumor cell sensitivity to standard treatments.
  • Consequently, targeting this pathological stroma has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the origins and characteristics of pathological stroma.
  • To describe the critical influence of stroma on tumor response to oncotherapy.
  • To discuss the design of combinational antitumor strategies and stroma-targeting drug delivery systems (DDSs).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor stroma.
  • Analysis of the impact of pathological stroma on drug distribution and therapeutic efficacy.
  • Examination of current and proposed strategies for targeting tumor stroma.

Main Results:

  • Pathological stroma, driven by CAFs, presents significant barriers to effective cancer treatment.
  • Heterogeneity and adaptability of tumor stroma lead to variable therapeutic outcomes.
  • Diverse strategies are needed due to the complex nature of stromal interactions in tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the multifaceted roles of tumor stroma in cancer progression is crucial.
  • Targeting pathological stroma offers potential for novel antitumor therapies.
  • Development of combinational strategies and specialized DDSs is essential for overcoming stromal barriers.
Keywords:
CAFsCombinational therapiesDrug delivery systemStromaTumor microenvironment

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