Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
06:35

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth

Published on: December 22, 2020

4.5K

Metastasis and cancer associated fibroblasts: taking it up a NOTCH

Argha Ghosh1,2, Anirban K Mitra1,2,3

  • 1Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|January 25, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Metastasis, a major cause of cancer deaths, involves tumor stroma. Notch signaling in cancer cells and tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), drives metastasis and therapy resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Metastasis accounts for 90% of cancer-related deaths, with the tumor stroma playing a critical role.
  • Aberrant cellular signaling in both cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis.
  • The Notch signaling pathway is implicated in cancer development and progression, with emerging evidence of its role in the stroma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the oncogenic role of Notch signaling in cancer cells.
  • To highlight the involvement of Notch signaling in the tumor microenvironment (TME), focusing on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
  • To underscore the potential of targeting Notch signaling in the TME for developing novel anti-cancer and anti-metastatic therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current findings on Notch signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of Notch signaling's role in tumor stroma, specifically CAFs.
  • Synthesis of information regarding TME-targeted therapies involving Notch signaling.

Main Results:

  • Notch signaling is oncogenic in cancer cells.
  • Notch signaling significantly contributes to tumor progression via CAFs within the TME.
  • Understanding Notch signaling in the TME is crucial for developing stromal reprogramming strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Notch signaling is a key driver in both cancer cells and the TME, promoting metastasis.
  • Targeting Notch signaling in CAFs offers a promising therapeutic strategy for combating metastasis and therapy resistance.
  • Further research into Notch signaling in the TME is essential for advancing anti-cancer therapies.
Keywords:
Notch signalingcancer associated fibroblastscancer metastasisovarian cancertumor microenvironment

More Related Videos

Experimental Generation of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts CAFs from Human Mammary Fibroblasts15:43

Experimental Generation of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts CAFs from Human Mammary Fibroblasts

Published on: October 25, 2011

23.4K
Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles08:02

Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles

Published on: May 14, 2021

5.6K

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

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...
6.6K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.5K
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

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...
3.1K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

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,...
2.3K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

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...
4.9K
Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
4.8K