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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Visualization, Quantification, and Mapping of Immune Cell Populations in the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: March 25, 2020
Decoding the CAF-TAM axis: multi-omics dissection and therapeutic targeting of stromal-immune crosstalk in the tumor
Yage Fu1, Mei Li1, Shiwang Wu1
1Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal stromal and immune components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that orchestrate immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, and therapeutic resistance. Regions enriched in CAFs are frequently accompanied by dense TAM infiltration, underscoring their close structural and functional interdependence. Recent advances in single-cell, multi-omics, and spatial profiling technologies have revolutionized our understanding of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity, lineage evolution, and bidirectional signaling between CAFs and TAMs. In this review, we summarize the latest progress from transcriptomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, and spatial multi-omics studies, highlighting the diverse CAF/TAM subpopulations, their intercellular communication networks, and their collective roles in extracellular matrix remodeling, immune suppression, metabolic adaptation, and angiogenesis. Finally, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs, TAMs, and their interactive pathways, offering new conceptual and translational insights into reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME and enhancing antitumor efficacy.
Insights
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key players in the tumor microenvironment, driving immune evasion and treatment resistance. Understanding their complex interactions is crucial for developing new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are critical stromal and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- These cells are known to promote immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, and resistance to cancer therapies.
- Their close structural and functional relationship is evident, with CAF-rich regions often showing significant TAM infiltration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding the heterogeneity, evolution, and signaling between CAFs and TAMs.
- To summarize findings from transcriptomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, and spatial multi-omics studies.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies targeting CAF-TAM interactions for enhanced antitumor efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of single-cell, multi-omics, and spatial profiling technologies.
- Analysis of transcriptomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, and spatial multi-omics data.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on CAF and TAM subpopulations and their communication.
Main Results:
- Identification of diverse CAF and TAM subpopulations and their complex intercellular communication networks.
- Elucidation of their collective roles in extracellular matrix remodeling, immune suppression, metabolic adaptation, and angiogenesis.
- Highlighting the spatiotemporal heterogeneity and lineage evolution of CAFs and TAMs.
Conclusions:
- Targeting CAFs, TAMs, and their interactive pathways offers promising therapeutic strategies.
- Reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME by modulating CAF-TAM interactions can enhance antitumor efficacy.
- Emerging multi-omics technologies provide new conceptual and translational insights into cancer immunology and therapy.
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