Anti-EGFR Therapy Induces EGF Secretion by Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Confer Colorectal Cancer Chemoresistance.

ABSTRACT: Targeted agents have improved the efficacy of chemotherapy for cancer patients, however, there remains a lack of understanding of how these therapies affect the unsuspecting bystanders of the stromal microenvironment. Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody therapy targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is given in combination with chemotherapy as the standard of care for a subset of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. The overall response to this treatment is underwhelming and, while genetic mutations that confer resistance have been identified, it is still not known why this drug is ineffective for some patients. We discovered that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major cellular subset of the tumor stroma, can provide a source of cancer cell resistance. Specifically, w

SUBMITTER: Garvey CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7352975 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature