The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast as a Dynamic Player in Mediating Cancer Stemness in the Tumor Microenvironment

Jia Jian Loh; Stephanie Ma

doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.727640

The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast as a Dynamic Player in Mediating Cancer Stemness in the Tumor Microenvironment

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Oct 25:9:727640. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.727640. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Jia Jian Loh¹, Stephanie Ma^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
² State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR China.

Abstract

The enrichment of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) in a tumor microenvironment (TME) cultivates a pro-tumorigenic niche via aberrant paracrine signaling and matrix remodeling. A favorable niche is critical to the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a population of cells that are characterized by their enhanced ability to self-renew, metastasis, and develop therapy resistance. Mounting evidence illustrates the interplay between CAF and cancer cells expedites malignant progression. Therefore, targeting the key cellular components and factors in the niche may promote a more efficacious treatment. In this study, we discuss how CAF orchestrates a niche that enhances CSC features and the potential therapeutic implication.

Keywords: cancer associated fibroblast; cancer stem cell; cancer stemness; inflammation; targeted therapy; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

Review