Review
Oncology
Geraldine Gentric, Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
Summary: Tumors exhibit metabolic heterogeneity with utilization of carbon sources other than glucose, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and lactate. This diversity in metabolic pathways influences cancer cell invasion capabilities and is also present in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAF).
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yushan Zhang, Chandra Kumar Elechalawar, Md Nazir Hossen, Emmy R. Francek, Anindya Dey, Stefan Wilhelm, Resham Bhattacharya, Priyabrata Mukherjee
Summary: Research has shown that ovarian cancer cells and TME cells promote the activation of ovarian CAFs, while 20 nm gold nanoparticles inhibit this activation, potentially serving as a strategy to disrupt cellular communication in the TME.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Esther Strating, Mathijs P. P. Verhagen, Emerens Wensink, Ester Duennebach, Liza Wijler, Itziar Aranguren, Alberto Sanchez de la Cruz, Niek A. A. Peters, Joris H. H. Hageman, Mirjam M. C. van der Net, Susanne van Schelven, Jamila Laoukili, Riccardo Fodde, Jeanine Roodhart, Stefan Nierkens, Hugo Snippert, Martijn Gloerich, Inne Borel Rinkes, Sjoerd G. G. Elias, Onno Kranenburg
Summary: A co-culture model system of colon cancer organoids and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was established, which can recapitulate the histological, biophysical, and immunosuppressive features of aggressive mesenchymal-like human colorectal cancer (CRC). This model can be used to study the mechanisms of immunosuppression and test therapeutic strategies targeting the interaction between CAFs and cancer cells. Furthermore, it can be modified to represent different colon cancer subtypes and (organ-specific) microenvironments.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Stephanie Poon, Laurie E. Ailles
Summary: Accurate in vitro modeling of tumor invasion is crucial for understanding metastasis in cancer research. This review discusses the evolution of invasion assays, with a focus on incorporating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the tumor microenvironment (TME) to provide a clearer picture of the complex process of tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Various in vitro models have been developed to study specific steps in metastasis, highlighting the importance of understanding the interactions between tumor cells, CAFs, and the extracellular matrix for more accurate disease modeling.
Review
Oncology
Bing Feng, Jianzhong Wu, Bo Shen, Feng Jiang, Jifeng Feng
Summary: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play critical roles in the tumor microenvironment, including extracellular matrix remodeling, metabolic modulation, and angiogenesis. They interact with cancer cells and immune cells through the production of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. CAFs have the potential to modulate the sensitivity of anti-cancer therapies, making them potential targets for optimizing cancer treatments.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Papaccio, Daniela Kovacs, Barbara Bellei, Silvia Caputo, Emilia Migliano, Carlo Cota, Mauro Picardo
Summary: Research indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts play significant roles in tumor growth, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammatory response. A thorough understanding of the melanoma-fibroblast relationship can expand treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Huan Gao, Qi Tian, Lizhe Zhu, Jinteng Feng, Yan Zhou, Jin Yang
Summary: The study demonstrates the significant impact of ECM on breast cancer progression and patient prognosis. Analysis of transcriptomic data and clinical information reveals distinct differences in immune activity and biological processes between ECM-high and -low groups. Clinical samples further confirm the association between collagen density/organization and breast cancer progression, while in vitro 3D-cultured fibroblasts and T cells validate the significant effects of collagen density and organization on CAF induction and T cell activation.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Durre Aden, Sufian Zaheer, Himani Ahluwalia, Sunil Ranga
Summary: Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis and tumor behavior, with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) being the most important player. CAFs modulate the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. However, due to the lack of specific markers, tracing the origin of different CAF subtypes is difficult. An objective and comprehensive classification of CAFs is needed for better tumor management.
CELL BIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ambre Giguelay, Evgenia Turtoi, Lakhdar Khelaf, Guillaume Tosato, Ikrame Dadi, Tommy Chastel, Marie-Alix Poul, Marine Pratlong, Stefan Nicolescu, Dany Severac, Antoine Adenis, Olivia Sgarbura-Popescu, Sebastien Carrere, Philippe Rouanet, Marc Ychou, Francois Quenet, Didier Pourqier, Pierre-Emmanuel Colombo, Andrei Turtoi, Jacques Colinge
Summary: This study confirms the heterogeneity of CRC-LM CAFs through single-cell transcriptomic analysis and proposes a model for recruiting different origins of CAFs to the liver in different liver malignancies. Additionally, the study finds that targeting LTBP2 with antibodies may help deplete ECM-remodeling CAFs in CRC-LMs.
Article
Oncology
Haibo Qiu, Xu Zhang, Jiali Qi, Jiangwen Zhang, Yin Tong, Lei Li, Li Fu, Yan-Ru Qin, Xinyuan Guan, Liyi Zhang
Summary: This study identified a novel origin of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and systematically studied their mobilization, recruitment, and maturation processes. It was found that fibrocytes derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) could be induced, recruited, and differentiated into functional CAFs by ESCC cells, mediated by FGF2 and the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. The differentiation process was triggered by direct interaction with tumor cells through the activation of the YAP-TEAD complex. These findings provide new strategies for targeting CAFs and utilizing CAF precursors as cellular vehicles targeting tumor cells.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Mrinmoy Sarkar, Tristan Nguyen, Esheksha Gundre, Olajumoke Ogunlusi, Mohanad El-Sobky, Biplab Giri, Tapasree Roy Sarkar
Summary: Stromal heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for malignancy and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a significant role in the tumor stroma, posing challenges to current therapies for breast cancer and other types of cancer. The positive feedback loop between CAFs and cancer cells contributes to the establishment of malignancy and reduces the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments. Understanding CAF-induced therapeutic resistance is important for improving cancer therapy outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Chika Iwamoto, Kenoki Ohuchida, Tomohiko Shinkawa, Sho Okuda, Yoshiki Otsubo, Takashi Okumura, Akiko Sagara, Kazuhiro Koikawa, Yohei Ando, Koji Shindo, Naoki Ikenaga, Kohei Nakata, Taiki Moriyama, Yoshihiro Miyasaka, Takao Ohtsuka, Masatoshi Eto, Koichi Akashi, Masafumi Nakamura
Summary: This study found that in PDAC, macrophages derived from bone marrow can partially convert into CAF-like cells, acting as a specific subtype that promotes pancreatic cancer growth and invasion. This conversion may represent a novel therapeutic strategy.
Review
Immunology
Lilian Koppensteiner, Layla Mathieson, Richard A. O'Connor, Ahsan R. Akram
Summary: The presence of efficient cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the tumor nest is crucial for a successful immune response to cancer. However, cancer cells and cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can impair the detection and elimination of cancer cells by CTL through immune suppression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant stromal cells in the TME, promote tumor progression and dampen the immune response to cancer. Recent research shows that T cells react to CAF signaling and establish bidirectional crosstalk that significantly affects the tumor immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xuechun Li, Zhao Sun, Gongxin Peng, Yi Xiao, Junchao Guo, Bin Wu, Xiaoyi Li, Weixun Zhou, Jiarui Li, Zhe Li, Chunmei Bai, Lin Zhao, Qin Han, Robert Chunhua Zhao, Xiaoyue Wang
Summary: This study reveals the characteristics of different CAF subsets in gastric cancer (GC) and their interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME) using single-cell RNA sequencing and multistaining registration techniques. The results demonstrate that iCAFs and eCAFs not only exhibit enhanced protumor activities, but also mobilize surrounding immune cells to construct a tumor-favorable microenvironment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Portale, Diletta Di Mitri
Summary: Natural killer cells (NK) are innate lymphocytes with the ability to recognize and kill cancer cells, making them a promising candidate for cancer treatment. However, cancer can impair the function of NK cells, limiting their effectiveness in cell therapies. Extensive research has been conducted to understand the mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in cancer and to find ways to enhance their anti-tumor function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
