Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42043647›Full record

ReviewTargeted oncology2026

Therapeutic Strategies Targeting the Tumor-Stromal Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Floor Heilijgers, Marie-Christine Bakker, Bente van Hest, Ingrid Franken, Frank M Speetjens, Koen C M J Peeters, Jeanine Roodhart, Wilma E Mesker

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Targeted oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Floor HeilijgersDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Formal address: Albinusdreef 1, 2333 ZA Leiden, Postal address: Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Marie-Christine BakkerDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Bente van HestDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Formal address: Albinusdreef 1, 2333 ZA Leiden, Postal address: Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Ingrid FrankenDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Frank M SpeetjensDepartment of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koen C M J PeetersDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Formal address: Albinusdreef 1, 2333 ZA Leiden, Postal address: Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Jeanine RoodhartDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wilma E MeskerDepartment of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Formal address: Albinusdreef 1, 2333 ZA Leiden, Postal address: Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. w.e.mesker@lumc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5533-4778

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Despite advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, outcomes in advanced disease remain poor. Current therapies mainly target the epithelial compartment of the tumor, yet increasing evidence highlights the tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly the tumor stroma, as a prognostic and potentially predictive factor. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on stromal features as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CRC. These stromal markers, such as fibroblast-associated protein (FAP), are associated with adverse outcomes, underscoring their clinical relevance. However, therapies directly targeting these stromal components have largely failed to improve survival as single agents. Combination strategies, stromal modulation integrated with established treatments, appear more promising. However, to date, stromal targeting remains challenging and has not led to standard-of-care treatment options. This highlights the need for more effective agents, the rational design of combination strategies, and improved patient selection. Combining stroma modulators with standard therapy, guided by stromal biomarkers, may enhance efficacy and help overcome the TME-induced resistance.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsStromal CellsTumor MicroenvironmentHumans

Identifiers

PMID42043647
PMCPMC13222169

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.