Insights into the relevance of targeting fibroblasts to control cancer
Viktoria Boeker, Raghu Kalluri
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have garnered significant research attention in the last decade. As key stromal cells of the TME, studies have explored them as a potential target for controlling cancer. Using high-throughput technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing coupled with proteomics, the classification of different CAF subgroups reveals a complex system that varies by cancer type. Unraveling novel big data, potentially through AI platforms, will be key to identifying the role of CAFs in tumor progression and therapy escape mechanisms, enabling new therapies that manipulate CAFs to increase patients' survival. We summarize and discuss new developments in an attempt to target CAFs for cancer control. Furthermore, we explore whether the complex heterogeneity of CAF origins can be targeted by single drugs in the future or require targeted, personalized therapies to combat cancer.