The multifaceted contributions of cancer-associated fibroblasts to drug resistance in primary and metastatic tumors

Abstract

Drug resistance remains a formidable barrier in modern oncology, undermining the efficacy of the current therapeutic regimens. As pivotal stromal constituents within tumor ecosystems, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as critical mediators of treatment resistance through multifaceted mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the historical progression of research on CAFs and drug resistance, and highlight the recent discoveries related to CAF biomarkers and their functions associated with drug resistance. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between CAF heterogeneity, secretion, autophagy, and senescence and their contributions to the evolution of drug resistance. Additionally, we provide a detailed explanation of how CAFs contribute to the development of drug resistance in primary tumors, including mechanisms such as immune suppression and evasion, promotion of tumor stemness, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and metabolic reprogramming. We also explored the role of CAFs in metastatic tumors and their association with drug resistance at various metastatic sites, including lymph nodes, brain, lungs, peritoneum, bone, and liver. Finally, we summarize the advancements in clinical trials targeting CAFs, the emerging research on potential therapeutic targets, and anticipating future trends in this area.