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Review
. 2023 May 4;21(1):96.
doi: 10.1186/s12964-023-01125-0.

What is new in cancer-associated fibroblast biomarkers?

Zehua Zhao  1 , Tianming Li  1 , Yuan Yuan  2   3   4 , Yanmei Zhu  5
Affiliations
Review

What is new in cancer-associated fibroblast biomarkers?

Zehua Zhao et al. Cell Commun Signal. .

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment is one of the important drivers of tumor development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor stroma and actively participate in tumor development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and other biological behaviors. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells, a reflection of the diversity of their origin, biomarkers, and functions. The diversity of CAF origin determines the complexity of CAF biomarkers, and CAF subpopulations expressing different biomarkers may play contrasting roles in tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of these emerging CAF biomarkers and the biological functions that they suggest, which may give a better understanding of the relationship between CAFs and tumor cells and be of great significance for breakthroughs in precision targeted therapy for tumors. Video Abstract.

Keywords: Biomarker; Cancer-associated fibroblasts; Heterogeneity; Targeted therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CAF biomarkers and functions. CAF subgroups identified by different biomarkers play distinct roles in tumor microenvironment. A Biomarkers suggesting cancer-promoting functions. Most biomarkers represent cancer-promoting CAFs including traditional CAF biomarkers (FAP, POSTN, PDGFRα/β, and FSP-1) as well as some emerging markers (CD90, Palladin, OPN, AEBP1, Twist, TNC, Gallectin1, CD10 and GPR77). They promote cancer progression though secreting cytokines and exosomes, remolding ECM, metabolic reprogramming, forming anterior niche in lung metastasis and immunosuppressive microenvironment, etc. B Biomarkers indicating cancer-restraining functions. Meflin+ CAFs are associated with favorable therapeutic response to ICB; CD146+CAF maintains sensitivity to tamoxifen of ER positive breast cancer. Both are related to better pathological histological features and prognosis of patients. C Biomarkers showing bidirectional functions. Cav-1, PDPN and CD200 labeled CAFs have both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing functions
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Subgroups of CAFs. An outline of different subgroups of CAFs found in human pancreatic cancer, PDCA mouse model, lung and oral cancer
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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