ArticleJournal of liver cancer2023
Isolation and characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Article in Journal of liver cancer, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- Article
- Non-Enzymatic Isolation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts From Human Prostate Tumor Explants.Bio-protocol · 2026Article
- Modeling CAF-tumor interactions to overcome therapy resistance.Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · 2026Review
- Hotspots and frontiers of the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and cancer-associated fibroblasts: a bibliometric analysis and review.Discover oncology · 2025Article
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts in hepatocellular carcinoma: heterogeneity, mechanisms and therapeutic targets.Hepatology international · 2025Review
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts in hepatocellular carcinoma: origins, heterogeneity, and therapeutic implications.Frontiers in immunology · 2025Review
- Machine learning model reveals roles of interferon‑stimulated genes in sorafenib‑resistant liver cancer.Oncology letters · 2024Article
- Rebuilding the microenvironment of primary tumors in humans: a focus on stroma.Experimental & molecular medicine · 2024Review
- Prognostic significance of combined PD-L1 expression in malignant and infiltrating cells in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab.Frontiers in immunology · 2024Article
- Wound healing: insights into autoimmunity, ageing, and cancer ecosystems through inflammation and IL-6 modulation.Frontiers in immunology · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
BACKGROUND/
aimCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human cancers; however, their characteristics and role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated.
methodsNine tumor and surrounding liver tissue samples from patients with HCC who underwent surgery were used to isolate patient-derived CAFs. Cell morphology was observed using an optical microscope after culture, and cell phenotypes were evaluated using flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Cytokines secreted by CAFs into culture medium were quantified using a multiplex cytokine assay.
resultsCAFs were abundant in the TME of HCC and were adjacent to immune cells. After culture, the CAFs and non-tumor fibroblasts exhibited spindle shapes. We observed a robust expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast activation protein in CAFs, whereas alpha-fetoprotein, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-cadherin were not expressed in CAFs. Furthermore, CAFs showed high secretion of various cytokines, namely C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2.
conclusionsCAFs are abundant in the TME of HCC and play a crucial role in tumor progression. These fibroblasts secrete cytokines that promote tumor growth and metastasis.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.