The Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment: Strategies for Studying the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

Methods Mol Biol. 2018:1765:87-98. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7765-9_6.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a key public health concern and the second highest cause of cancer related death in Western society. A dynamic interaction exists between CRC cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment, which can stimulate not only the development of CRC, but its progression and metastasis, as well as the development of resistance to therapy. In this chapter, we focus on the role of fibroblasts within the CRC tumor microenvironment and describe some of the key methods for their study, as well as the evaluation of dynamic interactions within this biological ecosystem.

Keywords: Cancer-associated fibroblasts; Colorectal cancer; Extracellular vesicles; Tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts / pathology*
  • Coculture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Coculture Techniques / methods
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Laser Capture Microdissection / instrumentation
  • Laser Capture Microdissection / methods
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • Primary Cell Culture / instrumentation
  • Primary Cell Culture / methods*
  • Stromal Cells / pathology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Microenvironment*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / instrumentation
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods*