Cytokines and cancer-associated fibroblasts

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
• Cytokines mediate complex cell-to-cell communication, influencing tumor progression and immune responses within the TME.
• Understanding cytokine networks is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and categorize cytokines involved in CAF-mediated tumor malignancy.
• To delineate the distinct roles of various cytokine families in CAF-tumor cell-immune cell interactions.
• To evaluate current and future therapeutic strategies targeting cytokine signaling in cancer.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and categorization of cytokines based on their families (interleukins, chemokines, growth factors, etc.).
• Analysis of cytokine roles as upstream signals for CAF activation and as downstream effectors secreted by CAFs.
• Evaluation of therapeutic approaches targeting CAF functions and cytokine networks.

Main Results:

• Cytokines are fundamental mediators of CAF activation, tumor cell malignancy, and TME reprogramming.
• Specific cytokine families play distinct roles in the reciprocal interactions within the TME.
• Targeting cytokine networks offers potential therapeutic avenues, including CAF reprogramming and targeted delivery.

Conclusions:

• Cytokine signaling networks are critical regulators of CAF function and tumor progression.
• Targeting these networks presents promising therapeutic opportunities but faces challenges like pleiotropy and heterogeneity.
• A theoretical framework is needed to optimize cytokine-targeted therapies for precision oncology.