Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Origin, function, imaging, and therapeutic targeting

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Nanomedicine

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) presents significant challenges in cancer treatment.
• Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the TME promote tumor progression and drug resistance through various mechanisms.
• CAFs are recognized as crucial targets for improving cancer therapy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current imaging techniques for visualizing CAFs and CAF-induced fibrosis.
• To provide an overview of compounds that modulate CAF activity.
• To discuss nanocarriers designed for CAF targeting and modulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of imaging modalities for CAF visualization.
• Compilation of known CAF-modulating compounds.
• Analysis of nanocarrier-based strategies for CAF targeting.

Main Results:

• Existing imaging techniques enable CAF and fibrosis visualization.
• Various compounds demonstrate CAF-modulating capabilities.
• CAF-targeted and modulating nanocarriers are under development.

Conclusions:

• Targeting CAFs and their associated fibrosis is a promising therapeutic avenue.
• Nanocarrier-based approaches hold potential for CAF-directed cancer therapies.
• Further research is needed to translate CAF-targeted strategies into clinical reality.