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termsTerm

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)

The scaffolding cells that tumours recruit to build scar-like tissue around themselves. They feed the cancer, block drugs and immune cells, and carry the FAP protein that PET scans can now see.

Heterogeneous (myCAF, iCAF, apCAF); sources include resident fibroblasts, stellate cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. Secrete TGF-β, IL-6, CXCL12; deposit ECM. Depletion experiments show both pro- and anti-tumour roles, so targeting is moving toward reprogramming (vitamin D receptor agonists) and FAP-directed theranostics.

Cancer biology: what this kind of term is about · animated schematic, not to scale
Category
Cancer biology

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