Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts: orchestrating the composition of malignancy

The tumor stroma is no longer seen solely as physical support for mutated epithelial cells but as an important modulator and even a driver of tumorigenicity. Within the tumor stromal milieu, heterogeneous populations of fibroblast-like cells, collectively termed carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are key players in the multicellular, stromal-dependent alterations that contribute to malignant initiation and progression. This review focuses on novel insights into the contributions of CAFs to disease progression, emergent events leading to the generation of CAFs, identification of CAF-specific biomarkers predictive of disease outcome, and recent therapeutic approaches aimed at blunting or reverting…

• P
  Pfizer
• CB
  California Breast Cancer Research Program

  Awards: 14OB-0165, 18OB-0060
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01 CA197977, PO1 CA107584, R01 CA097214, U54 CA143803, R01 CA187800, R35 CA197674
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Awards: CA097214, CA107584, CA143803