Review
Physiology
Giulia Biffi, David A. Tuveson
Summary: Efforts to develop anti-cancer therapies have mainly targeted the epithelial compartment, but recent studies have shown the significant influence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor progression. CAFs not only promote cancer cell proliferation, therapy resistance, and immune exclusion, but may also restrain tumor progression in certain contexts. Research on CAFs has focused on their heterogeneity, plasticity, and functions across different cancer types and states, as well as advancements in therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs currently undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Martina Bedeschi, Noemi Marino, Elena Cavassi, Filippo Piccinini, Anna Tesei
Summary: Prostate cancer is a common cancer in European males and androgen deprivation therapy is the standard treatment. However, resistance to this therapy has led to cancer progression and long-term side effects. Studies have shown that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and targeting them could be a potential therapeutic approach to overcome therapy resistance in prostate cancer.
Article
Oncology
Shaoquan Zheng, Jie-Ying Liang, Yuhui Tang, Jindong Xie, Yutian Zou, Anli Yang, Nan Shao, Xiaying Kuang, Fei Ji, Xuefeng Liu, Wenwen Tian, Weikai Xiao, Ying Lin
Summary: This study systematically assessed the expression of fibroblasts in cancer patients and investigated the role of biglycan (BGN) in immunotherapy response. The study found that CAFs were closely correlated with immune components and that BGN, a specific secreting factor of CAFs, served as an unfavourable indicator for overall survival and immunotherapy response.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liping Yan, Jian Zheng, Qingyu Wang, Hua Hao
Summary: The article reviews the role and potential therapeutic targets of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment, aiming to promote future research on CAFs and tumors.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Shichen Sun, Yanyu Zhang, Yubing Li, Linlin Wei
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor with increasing morbidity rates worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), part of the tumor microenvironment, can secrete various substances, including exosomes, which play an important role in intercellular communication. Exosomal non-coding RNAs derived from CAFs are closely associated with the formation of CRC microenvironment, enhance CRC growth and metastasis, mediate tumor immunosuppression, and contribute to drug resistance mechanisms in CRC patients. This review summarizes the current research progress on CAFs-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs in CRC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jasmine S. Owen, Aled Clayton, Helen B. Pearson
Summary: The continuous remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for prostate tumor growth, progression, and drug-resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key players in TME and mediate various oncogenic events. Understanding fibroblast heterogeneity, recruitment, and differential functions can help in developing new therapies and biomarkers for prostate cancer patients.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zhenzhen Li, Chanjun Sun, Zhihai Qin
Summary: Cancer cells adapt their metabolism to proliferate and survive in harsh environments, with a close relationship between tumor microenvironment and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) playing key roles in tumor growth and metastasis. CAFs act as major regulators in shaping tumor metabolism, especially through dysregulation of metabolic pathways, influencing cancer cell behavior and response to therapy. The interaction and crosstalk between cancer cells and CAFs contribute to metabolic reprogramming that impacts cancer cell growth and progression.
Review
Oncology
Chunxiao Li, Xiaofei Xu, Shuhua Wei, Ping Jiang, Lixiang Xue, Junjie Wang
Summary: Macrophages play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, where they can be polarized into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The abundance of TAMs in tumors is closely linked with poor prognosis, leading to investigations into therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs. These strategies include inhibiting macrophage recruitment to tumors, repolarizing TAMs towards an anti-tumor phenotype, and inducing macrophage-mediated destruction of cancer cells. As tumor immunotherapy gains more importance, new anti-tumor strategies focusing on TAMs are being discussed.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kuan-Jung Chiu, Hsin-Ying Clair Chiou, Chi-Han Huang, Pin-Chun Lu, Hui-Ru Kuo, Jiunn-Wei Wang, Ming-Hong Lin
Summary: This review summarizes the research on natural compounds mediating the interaction between digestive system cancers and CAFs, discusses the roles and multifunctionality of CAFs in cancer progression, and provides a theoretical basis for CAF-related antitumor therapies.
Review
Cell Biology
Zhanhuai Wang, Qi Yang, Yinuo Tan, Yang Tang, Jun Ye, Bin Yuan, Wei Yu
Summary: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are heterogeneous cells in the tumor microenvironment that can both promote and inhibit tumor development. The activation state of CAFs can vary, leading to different roles in early-stage and advanced-stage cancer. Understanding the diverse functions and origins of CAFs is crucial for developing precise cancer therapies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Wenqi Ti, Jianbo Wang, Yufeng Cheng
Summary: Despite advances in research and treatment, lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. The dynamic communication network in the tumor microenvironment, particularly involving cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), plays a significant role in tumor initiation and development. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and biomarkers related to CAFs can greatly contribute to the precise treatment of lung cancer.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ralf-Peter Czekay, Dong-Joo Cheon, Rohan Samarakoon, Stacie M. Kutz, Paul J. Higgins
Summary: This review discusses the complex interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and other cell types in the tumor microenvironment and their impact on tumor development. The presence of CAFs and their secretion of factors contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse. Studying the pathways and genes involved in the interaction between CAFs and cells provides new targets and opportunities for cancer treatment.
Review
Oncology
Chenxi Wu, Jianmei Gu, Hongbing Gu, XiaoXin Zhang, Xu Zhang, Runbi Ji
Summary: In this review, the origin, subpopulation, and functional heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are discussed, with particular attention to recent research advances and clinical therapeutic potential of CAFs in cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Mo Zhang, Zhixian Chen, Yan Wang, Hongbo Zhao, Yan Du
Summary: This review focuses on the important role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment. Different subtypes of CAFs have specific functions in tumor pathogenesis and can be potential treatment targets. Several clinical or preclinical trials have targeted CAFs to enhance ovarian cancer treatment outcomes.
Review
Oncology
Hans Raskov, Adile Orhan, Shruti Gaggar, Ismail Gogenur
Summary: Understanding the tumor microenvironment is crucial for innovating new therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment, especially the cell-cell communication within the TME. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are major cell populations in solid tumors with potential as therapeutic targets. Further research and innovation are needed to fully comprehend the roles of CAF and TAM in cancer and improve targeted treatment strategies.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah Rotoli, Natalia Dolores Perez-Rodriguez, Manuel Morales, Maria del Carmen Maeso, Julio Avila, Ali Mobasheri, Pablo Martin-Vasallo
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah Rotoli, Manuel Morales, Julio Avila, Maria del Carmen Maeso, Maria del Pino Garcia, Ali Mobasheri, Pablo Martin-Vasallo
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2017)
Article
Oncology
Deborah Rotoli, Manuel Morales, Maria del Carmen Maeso, Maria del Pino Garcia, Ricardo Gutierrez, Francisco Valladares, Julio Avila, Lucio Diaz-Flores, Ali Mobasheri, Pablo Martin-Vasallo
Article
Cell Biology
Deborah Rotoli, Manuel Morales, Maria-del-C. Maeso, Julio Avila, Natalia D. Perez-Rodriguez, Ali Mobasheri, Cornelis J. F. van Noorden, Pablo Martin-Vasallo
JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY & CYTOCHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebeca Gonzalez-Fernandez, Rita Martin-Ramirez, Deborah Rotoli, Jairo Hernandez, Frederick Naftolin, Pablo Martin-Vasallo, Angela Palumbo, Julio Avila
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah Rotoli, Laura Santana-Viera, Maria L. Ibba, Carla L. Esposito, Silvia Catuogno
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Carla Lucia Esposito, Cristina Quintavalle, Francesco Ingenito, Deborah Rotoli, Giuseppina Roscigno, Silvia Nuzzo, Renato Thomas, Silvia Catuogno, Vittorio de Franciscis, Gerolama Condorelli
Summary: Exosomes are considered to have potential as early diagnostic biomarkers and regulators of cancer, including breast cancer. Through the Exo-SELEX strategy, a high-affinity aptamer was isolated that can specifically recognize exosomes from breast cancer cells. This molecule not only inhibits exosome cellular uptake, but also antagonizes cancer exosome-induced cell migration.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Paolo Emidio Macchia, Immacolata Cristina Nettore, Fabiana Franchini, Laura Santana-Viera, Paola Ungaro
Summary: Recent studies have focused on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating adipocyte development, with a particular emphasis on the importance of histone-modifying enzymes in adipogenesis. This understanding may lead to new strategies for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Martin-Ramirez, Rebeca Gonzalez-Fernandez, Deborah Rotoli, Jairo Hernandez, Pablo Martin-Vasallo, Angela Palumbo, Julio Avila
Summary: This study found that oxidative stress induced by peroxynitrite affects gene expression in granulosa-lutein cells, while pretreatment with the antioxidant celastrol can prevent this effect. Additionally, celastrol may have an independent role in regulating gene expression in hGL cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Deborah Rotoli, Lucio Diaz-Flores, Ricardo Gutierrez, Manuel Morales, Julio Avila, Pablo Martin-Vasallo
Summary: Glioma stem cells (GSCs) undergo continuous stemness reprogramming within specific GSC niches, with scaffold proteins playing an important role in this process and potentially impacting the treatment and prognosis of glioblastoma.
JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY & CYTOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Fabian Poletti, Rebeca Gonzalez-Fernandez, Maria-del-Pino Garcia, Deborah Rotoli, Julio Avila, Ali Mobasheri, Pablo Martin-Vasallo
Summary: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic condition with inflammatory components, and the regulatory protein FKBP51 may play a role in inflammation and chronic pain in OA patients. Co-expression of FKBP51 with inflammatory markers suggests its involvement in inflammatory processes and associated pain in OA.
Article
Oncology
Carla L. Esposito, Katrien Van Roosbroeck, Gianluca Santamaria, Deborah Rotoli, Annamaria Sandomenico, William G. Wierda, Alessandra Ferrajoli, Menotti Ruvo, George A. Calin, Vittorio de Franciscis, Silvia Catuogno
Summary: Haematological malignancies have a growing incidence globally, with B-cell neoplasms often showing resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The development of new targeted therapeutic approaches, such as RNA aptamers targeting CD19 on malignant B cells, presents a promising solution. CD19 has emerged as a key surface marker for B-cell malignancies, and the isolated nuclease-resistant RNA aptamer B85.T2 shows potential for targeted therapy development with its high binding affinity, stability, and effective cell internalisation.