Development of a phenotypic screening assay to measure activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In cancer metastasis, tumor cells condition distant tissues to create a supportive environment, or metastatic niche, by driving the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These CAFs remodel the extracellular matrix, creating a microenvironment that supports tumor growth and compromises immune cell function, enabling cancer cells to evade immune detection. Consequently, targeting the activation of CAFs has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to hinder metastatic spread. Our objective was to develop the first in vitro phenotypic screening assay capable of assessing this activation process.

Methods

Human primary lung fibroblasts were co-cultured with highly invasive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) to identify changes in the expression of sele

SUBMITTER: Ilg MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11865240 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature