Open AccessCancer-associated fibroblasts as accomplices to confer therapeutic resistance in cancer
Author(s) -
Wenyu Wang,
Bing Cheng,
Qiang Yu
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cancer drug resistance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-532X
DOI - 10.20517/cdr.2022.67
Subject(s) - cancer associated fibroblasts , stromal cell , cancer , carcinogenesis , cancer research , cancer cell , crosstalk , stroma , tumor microenvironment , biology , population , medicine , bioinformatics , immunology , tumor cells , physics , immunohistochemistry , environmental health , optics
The "seed and soil" concept has reformed paradigms for cancer treatment in the past decade. Accumulating evidence indicates that the intimate crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells plays a tremendous role in tumor progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the largest population of stroma cells, influence therapeutic effects through diverse mechanisms. Herein, we summarize the recent advances in the versatile functions of CAFs regarding their heterogeneity, and we mainly discuss the pro-tumorigenic functions of CAFs which promote tumorigenesis and confer therapeutic resistance to tumors. Targeting CAFs is emerging as one of the most appealing strategies in anticancer therapies. The endeavors to target or reprogram the specific subtypes of CAFs provide great cancer treatment opportunities, which may provide a better clinical benefit to cancer patients.