Role of Cancer-associated Fibroblasts in Occurrence and Development of Colorectal Cancer

Cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs) are a subpopulation of cells that reside within the tumor stromal and promote the development of colorectal cancer(CRC). CAFs could secrete a variety of cytokines, growth factors and chemokine by directly contacting with cells in the paracrine secretion way, and then promote CRC growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis via different signaling pathways. In addition, CAFs may provide new markers for early diagnosis of CRC, new targets for CRC targeted therapy and new ideas for the clinical comprehensive treatment. In this review, we will introduce the research advances of CAFs and its role in the occurrence and development of CRC.