Analysis of antigen presenting cancer-associated fibroblast (apCAFs) niches

The researchers tried to understand the origin and function of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) termed antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs) using fibroblast molecular atlas across 15 types of tissues and solid tumors.

They identified two distinct apCAF populations across multiple cancer types. Mesothelial-related apCAFs locate near cancer cells while fibrocyte-related apCAFs associate with lymphocyte-enriched niches.

They found that both populations highly express secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), which facilitates tumor growth, metastasis, desmoplasia, and therapeutic resistance.

https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108(25)00393-9

https://sciencemission.com/antigen--presenting-cancer-associated-fibroblast