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Review
. 2010 Jan 1;15(1):166-79.
doi: 10.2741/3613.

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor microenvironment

Fei Xing  1 , Jamila Saidou, Kounosuke Watabe
Affiliations
Review

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor microenvironment

Fei Xing et al. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). .

Abstract

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is one of the most crucial components of the tumor microenvironment which promotes the growth and invasion of cancer cells by various mechanisms. CAFs demonstrate a high degree of heterogeneity due to their various origins; however, many distinct morphological features and physiological functions of CAFs have been identified. It is becoming clear that the crosstalk between the cancer cells and the CAFs plays a key role in the progression of cancer, and understanding this mutual relationship would eventually enable us to treat cancer patients by targeting CAFs. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings on the role of CAFs in tumorigenesis and metastasis as well as potential therapeutic implication of CAFs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distinct alpha SMA expression in cancer and normal breast samples. (a) CAFs are abundantly present in invasive breast cancer. (b) Unique morphology of CAFs. (c) alpha SMA express in myoepithelial cells in normal tissue.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential origins of CAFs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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