The promising role of noncoding RNAs in cancer-associated fibroblasts: an overview of current status and future perspectives.

ABSTRACT: As the most important component of the stromal cell population in the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial players in tumor initiation and progression. The interaction between CAFs and tumor cells, as well as the resulting effect, is much greater than initially expected. Numerous studies have shown that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play an irreplaceable role in this interplay, and related evidence continues to emerge and advance. Under the action of ncRNAs, normal fibroblasts are directly or indirectly activated into CAFs, and their metabolic characteristics are changed; thus, CAFs can more effectively promote tumor progression. Moreover, via ncRNAs, activated CAFs can affect the gene expression and secretory characteristics of cells, alter the TME and

SUBMITTER: Fang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7678062 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature