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Updated: Sep 26, 2025
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A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
Published on: December 22, 2020
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PTEN in cancer associated fibroblasts
Julia E Lefler1, Cara Seward1, Michael C Ostrowski1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
Advances in Cancer Research
|April 23, 2022
Summary
Disruptions to Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in the tumor stroma, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are linked to poor cancer outcomes. Understanding PTEN
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment
Background:
- Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a critical tumor suppressor.
- PTEN's role in cancer progression is well-established, primarily in epithelial cells.
- Emerging evidence highlights the significance of the tumor stroma in cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanistic targets regulated by PTEN signaling within cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
- To understand the implications of PTEN inactivation in the tumor stroma.
- To review the clinical relevance of PTEN's stromal functions in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating PTEN signaling in stromal compartments.
- Analysis of research focusing on PTEN's role in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
- Synthesis of findings related to downstream effectors of PTEN in the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Inactivation of PTEN in the tumor stroma correlates with worse patient outcomes across various human cancers.
- PTEN signaling in CAFs regulates key mechanisms contributing to cancer progression.
- Specific downstream targets of PTEN in CAFs are identified as critical players.
Conclusions:
- PTEN's function within the tumor stroma, especially in CAFs, is crucial for cancer progression.
- Targeting PTEN-regulated pathways in CAFs may offer novel therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into stromal PTEN is warranted for clinical applications in cancer treatment.
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