Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 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

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Cancer-associated fibroblasts as therapeutic targets for cancer: advances, challenges, and future prospects

Zhipeng Cao1,2,3, Sadia Quazi4,5, Sakshi Arora4,5

  • 1Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3084, Australia. Zhipeng.Cao@onjcri.org.au.

Journal of Biomedical Science
|January 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) significantly influence the tumor microenvironment (TME), impacting cancer progression and treatment resistance. Targeting CAFs shows promise, with therapies now advancing into clinical trials for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Tumor Microenvironment Research

Background:

  • Traditional cancer research primarily targets cancer cells directly.
  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance.
  • Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the TME, promoting tumor development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of CAFs in cancer.
  • To identify CAF-related markers and therapeutic targets.
  • To summarize the current landscape of clinical trials investigating CAF-targeted therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of CAF markers, functions, and their impact on cancer.
  • Survey of ongoing clinical trials for CAF-targeted cancer treatments.

Main Results:

  • CAFs are crucial in shaping the TME to favor cancer growth and drug resistance.
  • Numerous preclinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of targeting CAFs.
  • Several CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies have progressed to clinical evaluation.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting CAFs represents a promising therapeutic strategy in oncology.
  • Further research and clinical investigation into CAF-targeting agents are warranted.
  • Understanding CAFs is essential for developing more effective cancer treatments.
Keywords:
Cancer-associated fibroblastsClinical trialsTargeted therapyTumour microenvironmentTumour stroma

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