Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies

The co evolution of tumor cells and microenvironmental matrix components almost determines the series of processes involved in cancer occurrence and progression. However, many anti-cancer treatments are designed around tumor cells, neglecting the supportive role of stromal cells. Cancer-associated f...

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Main Authors: Chengyun Pan, Lin Zheng, Jishi Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1596947/full
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author Chengyun Pan
Chengyun Pan
Chengyun Pan
Lin Zheng
Jishi Wang
Jishi Wang
Jishi Wang
author_facet Chengyun Pan
Chengyun Pan
Chengyun Pan
Lin Zheng
Jishi Wang
Jishi Wang
Jishi Wang
author_sort Chengyun Pan
collection DOAJ
description The co evolution of tumor cells and microenvironmental matrix components almost determines the series of processes involved in cancer occurrence and progression. However, many anti-cancer treatments are designed around tumor cells, neglecting the supportive role of stromal cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as the main stromal cells in tumor microenvironment, are currently considered as a key component promoting tumorigenesis, development, and regulating the transfer of tumor cells to distant locations through secretion of different growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and the degradation of extracellular matrix. Therefore, the strategy of targeting both cancer cells and CAFs shows great potential in cancer treatment. In hematological malignancies, the role of CAFs in the progression of tumors has gradually been recently tapped. This review describes the role and functional characteristics of CAFs in tumors, mainly concentrates on the potential role of CAFs in the disease progression of hematological malignancies according to recent findings, and emphasizes the importance of CAFs as a key target to overcome tumor progression and improve treatment efficacy.
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series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-e72073564e344b34bc1ff26907744cd42025-08-20T03:47:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15969471596947Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignanciesChengyun Pan0Chengyun Pan1Chengyun Pan2Lin Zheng3Jishi Wang4Jishi Wang5Jishi Wang6Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Hematology, Hematological Institute of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Hematological Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Guizhou Province Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Centre, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Hematology, Hematological Institute of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Hematological Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Guizhou Province Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Centre, Guiyang, Guizhou, ChinaThe co evolution of tumor cells and microenvironmental matrix components almost determines the series of processes involved in cancer occurrence and progression. However, many anti-cancer treatments are designed around tumor cells, neglecting the supportive role of stromal cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as the main stromal cells in tumor microenvironment, are currently considered as a key component promoting tumorigenesis, development, and regulating the transfer of tumor cells to distant locations through secretion of different growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and the degradation of extracellular matrix. Therefore, the strategy of targeting both cancer cells and CAFs shows great potential in cancer treatment. In hematological malignancies, the role of CAFs in the progression of tumors has gradually been recently tapped. This review describes the role and functional characteristics of CAFs in tumors, mainly concentrates on the potential role of CAFs in the disease progression of hematological malignancies according to recent findings, and emphasizes the importance of CAFs as a key target to overcome tumor progression and improve treatment efficacy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1596947/fullcancer associated fibroblastsmicroenvironmenttumor progressionhematological malignanciesheterogeneity
spellingShingle Chengyun Pan
Chengyun Pan
Chengyun Pan
Lin Zheng
Jishi Wang
Jishi Wang
Jishi Wang
Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
Frontiers in Oncology
cancer associated fibroblasts
microenvironment
tumor progression
hematological malignancies
heterogeneity
title Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
title_full Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
title_fullStr Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
title_full_unstemmed Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
title_short Cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors: focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
title_sort cancer associated fibroblasts in tumors focusing on solid tumors and hematological malignancies
topic cancer associated fibroblasts
microenvironment
tumor progression
hematological malignancies
heterogeneity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1596947/full
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