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Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20(3):1110-1124. doi:10.7150/ijbs.87680 This issue Cite

Review

Fibroblasts: invigorated targets in pre-metastatic niche formation

Hongkuan Han1,2†, Cheng Qian1,2†, Mengyao Song1,2, Chongjin Zhong3✉, Yang Zhao3✉, Yin Lu1,2✉

1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
2. Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
† These authors contributed equally to this work.

✉ Corresponding authors: Yin Lu, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China. Email: luyingreenedu.cn, Tel: +86 25 85 More

Citation:
Han H, Qian C, Song M, Zhong C, Zhao Y, Lu Y. Fibroblasts: invigorated targets in pre-metastatic niche formation. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20(3):1110-1124. doi:10.7150/ijbs.87680. https://www.ijbs.com/v20p1110.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

At present, tumor metastasis still remains the leading contributor to high recurrence and mortality in cancer patients. There have been no clinically effective therapeutic strategies for treating patients with metastatic cancer. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has shown that the pre-metastatic niche (PMN) plays a crucial role in driving tumor metastasis. Nevertheless, a clear and detailed understanding of the formation of PMN is still lacking given the fact that PMN formation involves in a wealth of complicated communications and underlying mechanisms between primary tumors and metastatic target organs. Despite that the roles of numerous components including tumor exosomes and extracellular vesicles in influencing the evolution of PMN have been well documented, the involvement of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment for controlling PMN formation is frequently overlooked. It has been increasingly recognized that fibroblasts trigger the formation of PMN by virtue of modulating exosomes, metabolism and so on. In this review, we mainly summarize the underlying mechanisms of fibroblasts from diverse origins in exerting impacts on PMN evolution, and further highlight the prospective strategies for targeting fibroblasts to prevent PMN formation.

Keywords: Tumor metastasis, Cancer-associated fibroblasts, Tumor microenvironment, Fibroblast-based therapy

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APA
Han, H., Qian, C., Song, M., Zhong, C., Zhao, Y., Lu, Y. (2024). Fibroblasts: invigorated targets in pre-metastatic niche formation. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 20(3), 1110-1124. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.87680.

ACS
Han, H.; Qian, C.; Song, M.; Zhong, C.; Zhao, Y.; Lu, Y. Fibroblasts: invigorated targets in pre-metastatic niche formation. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2024, 20 (3), 1110-1124. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.87680.

NLM
Han H, Qian C, Song M, Zhong C, Zhao Y, Lu Y. Fibroblasts: invigorated targets in pre-metastatic niche formation. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20(3):1110-1124. doi:10.7150/ijbs.87680. https://www.ijbs.com/v20p1110.htm

CSE
Han H, Qian C, Song M, Zhong C, Zhao Y, Lu Y. 2024. Fibroblasts: invigorated targets in pre-metastatic niche formation. Int J Biol Sci. 20(3):1110-1124.

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