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Updated: Aug 6, 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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Activated fibroblasts in cancer: Perspectives and challenges
Giuseppina Caligiuri1, David A Tuveson1
1Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
Cancer Cell
|March 14, 2023
Summary
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a dual role in tumors, impacting both tumor growth and suppression. Investigating CAFs offers a promising therapeutic avenue, but clinical translation requires addressing key challenges.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment.
- CAFs exhibit a dichotomous role, potentially promoting or inhibiting tumor progression.
- Recent research highlights their diverse functions, including matrix deposition and immune modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the significant role of CAFs in tumor biology.
- To discuss technological advancements enabling CAF research.
- To present available models for investigating CAFs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cancer-associated fibroblast research.
- Analysis of technological advancements in CAF detection and characterization.
- Evaluation of preclinical and clinical studies involving CAFs.
Main Results:
- CAFs are crucial players in the tumor microenvironment with both pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions.
- Technological progress has significantly advanced our understanding of CAF biology.
- Various models exist for studying CAFs, aiding in preclinical investigations.
Conclusions:
- CAF investigation is vital for understanding tumor biology and developing novel cancer therapies.
- Targeting CAFs presents a potential therapeutic strategy alongside traditional cancer treatments.
- Overcoming challenges in clinical translation is essential for realizing the therapeutic potential of targeting CAFs.
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