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Updated: Jun 21, 2025

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
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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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Cancer-associated fibroblasts mediate resistance to anti-EGFR therapies in cancer

Shuang Dai1, Yingtong Liu2, Zheran Liu3

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Pharmacological Research
|July 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) drive resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies in advanced solid tumors. Targeting CAFs offers a promising strategy to overcome treatment challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Background:

  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies have revolutionized advanced solid tumor treatment.
  • Therapeutic resistance remains a significant clinical hurdle, with cell-autonomous mechanisms incompletely explaining resistance.
  • Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer progression and chemoresistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of CAFs' role in resistance to anti-EGFR therapies.
  • To summarize emerging therapeutic strategies that target CAFs.
  • To highlight challenges and advocate for CAFs as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current data on CAFs and anti-EGFR therapy resistance.
  • Synthesis of evidence implicating CAFs in resistance mechanisms.
  • Analysis of therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs.

Main Results:

  • CAFs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of resistance to anti-EGFR therapies.
  • Evidence suggests CAFs can undermine the efficacy of these targeted treatments.
  • Several therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • CAFs are pivotal in mediating resistance to anti-EGFR therapies.
  • Targeting CAFs presents a potential avenue to overcome treatment resistance.
  • Further exploration of CAFs as a dual-targeted approach is warranted.
Keywords:
Anti-EGFR therapyCancer-associated fibroblastEpidermal growth factor receptorTumor microenvironmentresistance

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