Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
06:35
A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
Published on: December 22, 2020
4.6K
Cancer-associated fibroblasts and their role in tumor progression
M S Ermakov1, A A Nushtaeva1, V A Richter1
1Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki I Selektsii
|March 28, 2022
Summary
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) drive tumor progression and metastasis by altering the tumor microenvironment. Targeting CAFs offers a promising strategy for novel anticancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment
Background:
- Tumor stroma, comprising connective tissue, vasculature, nerves, and extracellular matrix (ECM), significantly influences cancer progression.
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key cellular components of the tumor stroma, actively studied for their roles in cancer.
- CAFs contribute to tumor progression through collagen production, fibrosis, altered signaling, angiogenesis, and immune modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review modern concepts of molecular markers and functional features of CAFs.
- To discuss the stages of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CAF development.
- To explore the potential of CAFs as therapeutic targets in anticancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on CAFs.
- Classification of molecular markers and functional characteristics of CAFs.
- Analysis of the role of EMT in CAF activation and function.
Main Results:
- CAFs produce collagen, leading to fibrosis and disrupted signaling, and influence angiogenesis, cell motility, and treatment resistance.
- Metabolic adaptation to hypoxia induces CAF activation, characterized by alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin expression.
- CAFs can originate from resident fibroblasts or undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) from tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- CAFs are implicated in promoting cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance across all carcinoma types.
- Understanding CAF origins, markers, and functions is crucial for developing targeted anticancer strategies.
- Targeting CAFs presents a significant opportunity for novel therapeutic interventions against cancer.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.8K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.8K
02:07Tumor Progression
6.5K
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.5K
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
3.2K
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
3.2K
01:35Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
2.4K
Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
2.4K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
6.0K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
6.0K
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
5.1K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
5.1K