Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer: new subtypes, new markers, new targets.

ABSTRACT: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have conflicting roles in the suppression and promotion of cancer. Current research focuses on targeting the undesirable properties of CAFs, while attempting to maintain tumour-suppressive roles. CAFs have been widely associated with primary or secondary therapeutic resistance, and strategies to modify CAF function have therefore largely focussed on their combination with existing therapies. Despite significant progress in preclinical studies, clinical translation of CAF targeted therapies has achieved limited success. Here we will review our emerging understanding of heterogeneous CAF populations in tumour biology and use examples from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to explore why successful clinical targeting of protumourigenic CAF functions remains

SUBMITTER: Menezes S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9327514 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature