Integrative analysis identifies radiotherapy resistance-associated CAF subtypes shaping the tumor immune landscape in breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a critical role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer (BC), influencing immune evasion and treatment resistance. This study aims to explore the heterogeneity of CAFs and their impact on prognosis and radiotherapy resistance.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze CAF subsets in BC. Three major CAF subpopulations were identified, including inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) and matrix-modulating CAFs (mmCAFs), which were enriched in Scissor⁺ cells associated with prognosis. A CAF-derived gene signature was constructed to stratify BC patients into transcriptome clusters with varying TME compositions. Survival analysis and multivariate regression were employed to assess the prognostic value of the gene s

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12535047 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature