Cui JY, Ma J, Gao XX, Sheng ZM, Pan ZX, Shi LH, Zhang BG. Unraveling the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16(12): 4565-4578 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i12.4565]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Bao-Gang Zhang, MD, PhD, Doctor, Teacher, Department of Pathology, Shandong Second Medical University, No. 4948 East Shengli Street, Quewen District, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China. zbg0903@hotmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Review
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jia-Yu Cui, Jing Ma, Xin-Xin Gao, Zi-Xin Pan, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
Zhi-Mei Sheng, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, Department of Pathology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
Li-Hong Shi, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
Bao-Gang Zhang, Department of Pathology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Li-Hong Shi and Bao-Gang Zhang.
Author contributions: Cui JY wrote the manuscript; Ma J, Gao XX, Sheng ZM, and Pan ZX collected the data; Shi LH and Zhang BG reviewed this review. All authors reviewed, edited, and approved the final manuscript and revised it critically for important intellectual content, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work. The collaboration between Shi LH and Zhang BG is crucial for the publication of this manuscript and other manuscripts still in preparation, and they contributed equally to this work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Bao-Gang Zhang, MD, PhD, Doctor, Teacher, Department of Pathology, Shandong Second Medical University, No. 4948 East Shengli Street, Quewen District, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China. zbg0903@hotmail.com
Received: June 18, 2024 Revised: August 30, 2024 Accepted: September 19, 2024 Published online: December 15, 2024 Processing time: 146 Days and 20.2 Hours
Abstract
Within the intricate milieu of colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) act as pivotal orchestrators, wielding considerable influence over tumor progression. This review endeavors to dissect the multifaceted functions of CAFs within the realm of CRC, thereby highlighting their indispensability in fostering CRC malignant microenvironment and indicating the development of CAFs-targeted therapeutic interventions. Through a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge, this review delineates insights into CAFs-mediated modulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, immune evasion, and neovascularization, elucidating the intricate web of interactions that sustain the pro-tumor metabolism and secretion of multiple factors. Additionally, recognizing the high level of heterogeneity within CAFs is crucial, as they encompass a range of subtypes, including myofibroblastic CAFs, inflammatory CAFs, antigen-presenting CAFs, and vessel-associated CAFs. Innovatively, the symbiotic relationship between CAFs and the intestinal microbiota is explored, shedding light on a novel dimension of CRC pathogenesis. Despite remarkable progress, the orchestrated dynamic functions of CAFs remain incompletely deciphered, underscoring the need for continued research endeavors for therapeutic advancements in CRC management.
Core Tip: Within the intricate milieu of colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) act as pivotal orchestrators, wielding considerable influence over tumor progression. This review endeavors to dissect the multifaceted functions of CAFs within the realm of CRC, thereby highlighting their indispensability in fostering CRC malignant microenvironment and indicating the development of CAFs-targeted therapeutic interventions. Through a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge, this review delineates insights into CAFs-mediated modulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, immune evasion, and neovascularization, elucidating the intricate web of interactions that sustain the pro-tumor metabolism and secretion of multiple factors. Additionally, recognizing the high level of heterogeneity within CAFs is crucial, as they encompass a range of subtypes, including myofibroblastic CAFs, inflammatory CAFs, antigen-presenting CAFs, and vessel-associated CAFs. Innovatively, the symbiotic relationship between CAFs and the intestinal microbiota is explored, shedding light on a novel dimension of CRC pathogenesis. Despite remarkable progress, the orchestrated dynamic functions of CAFs remain incompletely deciphered, underscoring the need for continued research endeavors for therapeutic advancements in CRC management.
