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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
06:35
A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
Published on: December 22, 2020
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer
S Kamali Zonouzi1,2, P S Pezeshki1,2, S Razi2,3
1School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Summary
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Understanding CAFs
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, driving research into diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies.
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key cellular components within the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of CAFs in colorectal cancer.
- To explore the interactions between CAFs, the tumor microenvironment, and vitamin D in CRC tumorigenesis and metastasis.
- To identify potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers associated with CAFs in CRC.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review focusing on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in colorectal cancer (CRC).
- Analysis of CAFs' interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and with vitamin D.
- Identification and discussion of specific CAF-related markers, signaling pathways, and potential therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- CAFs significantly impact CRC tumorigenesis and metastasis through interactions with the TME and vitamin D.
- Key CAF-associated markers identified include FAP, α-SMA, CXCL12, TGF-β, POSTN, and β1-Integrin.
- Relevant signaling pathways (e.g., FAK, AKT, YAP/TAZ) and potential therapeutic targets (e.g., COL3A1, JAM3, AEBP1, TGFB3, WNT2, WNT54) were highlighted.
Conclusions:
- CAFs represent a promising area for developing novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for colorectal cancer.
- Targeting CAFs and their associated pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.
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