Mesenchymal Cell Plasticity and Perfidy in Epithelial Malignancy

Abstract

Stromal complicity in epithelial carcinogenesis contributes to immune suppression and treatment resistance, but not all cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are bad actors. Identifying and targeting protumorigenic CAFs while preserving their antitumorigenic counterparts is the challenge. The risk is the possibility of making things worse; the reward is the potential to transform the care of and prognosis for patients with solid tumors.