Fig. 2
A brief summary of CAFs functions and related mechanisms in cancer initiation and progression. Activated CAFs are involved in nearly all stadges of cancer development through diverse means. By releasing numerous secretory factors and activating signaling pathways, CAFs contribute to maliganant transformantion, tumor growth and proliferation, cancer cell invasion, and the establishment of pre-metaststic niche. These pro-tumorigenic cells also affect tumor metabolism in distinct manners as shown in the figure. All these functions collectively determain tumor development and drug resistance