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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
Published on: December 22, 2020
Targeting CAFs to overcome anticancer therapeutic resistance
Phei Er Saw1, Jianing Chen1, Erwei Song2
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key players in the tumor microenvironment, driving therapeutic resistance. Targeting these stromal cells offers a promising strategy to overcome treatment challenges in cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment Research
Background:
- The understanding of cancer has shifted from a tumor cell-centric view to recognizing the crucial role of the tumor stroma.
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are implicated in resistance to cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the origin, heterogeneity, and function of CAFs.
- To explore the role of CAF subsets as biomarkers and their contribution to therapeutic resistance.
- To highlight current advancements and emerging strategies in targeting CAFs to overcome cancer treatment resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the role of CAFs in cancer.
- Analysis of CAF heterogeneity and function within the TME.
- Examination of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs.
Main Results:
- CAFs are integral to tumor progression and are a significant factor in establishing resistance to various cancer therapies.
- Specific CAF subsets demonstrate potential as biomarkers for cancer progression and treatment response.
- Targeting CAFs presents a viable approach to enhance the efficacy of existing anticancer treatments.
Conclusions:
- CAFs significantly influence the tumor microenvironment and contribute to therapeutic resistance.
- Understanding CAF heterogeneity is crucial for developing effective biomarker and therapeutic strategies.
- Targeting CAFs holds promise for overcoming resistance and improving outcomes in cancer treatment.
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08:02Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles
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