1. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma or a Metaphor for Heterogeneity: From Single-Cell Analysis to Whole-Body Imaging
- Author
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Rita Saúde-Conde, Ayça Arçay Öztürk, Kosta Stosic, Oier Azurmendi Senar, Julie Navez, Christelle Bouchart, Tatjana Arsenijevic, Patrick Flamen, and Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Subjects
cancer-associated fibroblast ,Gallium-68 fibroblast activation protein inhibitor positron emission tomography ,fibroblast activation protein ,pancreatic cancer ,heterogeneity ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents a formidable challenge due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) in PDAC, characterized by intense stromal desmoplastic reactions and a dominant presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), significantly contributes to therapeutic resistance. However, within the heterogeneous CAF population, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) emerges as a promising target for Gallium-68 FAP inhibitor positron emission tomography (Ga68FAPI-PET) imaging. Notably, 68Ga-FAPI-PET demonstrates promising diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, especially in conjunction with low tracer uptake in non-tumoral tissues. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into tumor–stroma interactions, a critical aspect of PDAC tumorigenesis not adequately visualized through conventional methods. The clinical implications of this innovative imaging modality extend to its potential to reshape treatment strategies by offering a deeper understanding of the dynamic TME. However, while the potential of 68Ga-FAPI-PET is evident, ongoing correlative studies are essential to elucidate the full spectrum of CAF heterogeneity and to validate its impact on PDAC management. This article provides a comprehensive review of CAF heterogeneity in PDAC and explores the potential impact of 68Ga-FAPI-PET on disease management.
- Published
- 2024
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