AUTHOR=Loh Jia Jian , Ma Stephanie 

TITLE=The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast as a Dynamic Player in Mediating Cancer Stemness in the Tumor Microenvironment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.727640

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2021.727640

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=<p>The enrichment of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) in a tumor microenvironment (TME) cultivates a pro-tumorigenic niche <italic>via</italic> aberrant paracrine signaling and matrix remodeling. A favorable niche is critical to the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a population of cells that are characterized by their enhanced ability to self-renew, metastasis, and develop therapy resistance. Mounting evidence illustrates the interplay between CAF and cancer cells expedites malignant progression. Therefore, targeting the key cellular components and factors in the niche may promote a more efficacious treatment. In this study, we discuss how CAF orchestrates a niche that enhances CSC features and the potential therapeutic implication.</p>