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Cancer-associated fibroblasts: overview, progress, challenges, and directions

Qinrong Ping1,2, Ruping Yan3, Xin Cheng4

  • 1Department of Urology, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.

Cancer Gene Therapy
|March 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key players in the tumor microenvironment, influencing tumor growth and treatment resistance. Understanding their complex roles and heterogeneity is crucial for developing new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Tumor Microenvironment Research

Background:

  • Tumors are a leading cause of human mortality, necessitating advancements in early diagnosis and treatment.
  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences tumor progression, with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) playing a pivotal role.
  • CAFs exhibit heterogeneity and plasticity, impacting tumor development, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment.
  • To explore the multifaceted roles, origins, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications of CAFs.
  • To highlight current research challenges and propose future directions for CAF-targeted cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on CAFs.
  • Analysis of CAF heterogeneity, plasticity, and subpopulations.
  • Examination of CAF interactions within the immune microenvironment and pre-metastasis niches (PMN).

Main Results:

  • CAFs are heterogeneous cells with diverse origins, phenotypes, and functions.
  • While often tumor-promoting, CAFs may exhibit tumor-suppressive roles in early cancer stages.
  • CAF functions are critical in regulating tumor metastasis and resistance to therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing CAF heterogeneity is essential for understanding their complex roles in cancer.
  • Targeting CAFs presents a promising avenue for novel cancer diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research into CAF biology will advance personalized cancer treatment approaches.

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