Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
Published on: December 22, 2020
The role of fibroblast activation protein in health and malignancy
Allison A Fitzgerald1, Louis M Weiner2
1Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3870 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
Abstract:
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type-II transmembrane serine protease expressed almost exclusively to pathological conditions including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Across most cancer types, elevated FAP is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Despite the clear association between FAP and disease severity, the biological reasons underlying these clinical observations remain unclear. Here we review basic FAP biology and FAP's role in non-oncologic and oncologic disease. We further explore how FAP may worsen clinical outcomes via its effects on extracellular matrix remodeling, intracellular signaling regulation, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppression. Lastly, we discuss the potential to exploit FAP biology to improve clinical outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Fibroblasts
Abnormal Proliferation
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
The Ras Gene
Ras is a...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

