title: Stromal dynamic reciprocity in cancer: intricacies of fibroblastic-ECM interactions.
abstract: Stromal dynamic reciprocity (SDR) consists of the biophysical and biochemical interplay between connective tissue elements that regulate and maintain organ homeostasis. In epithelial cancers, chronic alterations of SDR result in the once tumor-restrictive stroma evolving into a 'new' tumor-permissive environment. This altered stroma, known as desmoplasia, is initiated and maintained by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM). Desmoplasia fuels a vicious cycle of stromal dissemination enriching both CAFs and desmoplastic ECM. Targeting specific drivers of desmoplasia, such as CAFs, either enhances or halts tumor growth and progression. These conflicting effects suggest that stromal interactions are not fully understood. This review highlights known fibroblastic-ECM interactions in an effort to encourage therapies that will restore cancer-restrictive stromal cues.
authors.affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cancer Biology, Temple Health, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 245 N 15(th) St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cancer Biology, Temple Health, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. Electronic address: edna.cukierman@fccc.edu.
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cukierman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000072645:Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology