Common subtypes of CAFs and their research progress in immune evasion of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) and play multiple roles in tumor progression. The development of technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics has promoted the refinement of CAF subtypes. Different CAF subtypes participate in tumor immune evasion through distinct regulatory mechanisms, making them key factors influencing CRC immunotherapy. This article systematically reviews recent research progress in this field through four core aspects: the origin and heterogeneity of CAFs, major subtypes and markers, mechanisms of CAFs in CRC immune evasion, and therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs. It focuses on analyzing the interaction networks and regulatory patterns between different CAF subtypes and CRC, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for precise immunotherapy in CRC and to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Cancer-associated fibroblasts; Colorectal cancer; Immune evasion; Immunotherapy; Subtypes; Tumor microenvironment.