Cancer-associated fibroblasts of colorectal cancer and their markers: updates, challenges and translational outlook

Accumulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with poor prognosis and recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite their prominent roles in colorectal carcinogenesis, there is a lack of robust and specific markers to classify the heterogeneous and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inFuture oncology (London, England) Vol. 16; no. 29; pp. 2329 - 2344
Main Authors Musa, Marahaini, Ali, Adli
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Future Medicine Ltd 01.10.2020
Subjects
colon
Colorectal cancer
Fibroblasts
Gene expression
Genotype & phenotype
Hypotheses
Ligands
marker
neoplasm
tumor heterogeneity
tumor microenvironment
Tumors
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Summary:Accumulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with poor prognosis and recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite their prominent roles in colorectal carcinogenesis, there is a lack of robust and specific markers to classify the heterogeneous and highly complex CAF populations. This has resulted in confusing and misleading definitions of CAFs in cancer niche. Advancements in molecular biology approaches have open doors to reliable CAF marker detection methods in various solid tumors. These discoveries would contribute to more efficient screening, monitoring and targeted therapy of CRC thus potentially will reduce cancer morbidity and mortality rates. This review highlights current scenarios, dilemma, translational potentials of CAF biomarker and future therapeutic applications involving CAF marker identification in CRC.
ISSN:1479-6694
1744-8301
DOI:10.2217/fon-2020-0384