Modulation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts via the miR-624-5p/FAP Axis Drives Progression and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key mediators of metastatic progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) serves as the hallmark of CAF activation. However, the upstream regulation of FAP remains elusive, limiting stroma-targeted therapy development.

Methods

⁶⁸Ga-FAP inhibitor (FAPI)-04 PET/CT imaging was performed on 61 NSCLC patients to evaluate the clinical significance of FAP. CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from patient tissues. Bioinformatic analysis and qRT-PCR were employed to screen and validate miRNAs. Functional assays (CCK-8, collagen contraction, wound healing, transwell co-culture) were utilized to investigate the role of miR-624-5p in regulating fibroblast activation and th

SUBMITTER: Zhao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12839361 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature