Molecular subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and personalised targeting in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

胰腺导管腺癌（PDAC）是一种致命的癌症类型，其特征在于广泛的促纤维增生基质。癌症相关成纤维细胞（CAF）是该基质的关键居民，并协调肿瘤进展。我们首次（据我们所知）确定了四种具有不同功能特征的分子CAF亚型。我们假设CAFs的这种异质性可能反映了PDAC对治疗的不同反应。在这里，我们将开发亚型特异性CAF：来自不同小鼠模型的癌症共培养物，并确定潜在的治疗靶点或疗法。我们预计，我们的研究结果可能为基于CAF亚型的PDAC个性化靶向铺平道路。

Pancreatic ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the lethal cancer types; characterized by an extensive desmoplastic stroma. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are key residents of this stroma and orchestrate tumor progression. We identified for the first time (to our knowledge) four molecular CAF subtypes with distinct functional characteristics. We hypothesise that this heterogeneity in CAFs may reflect differential responses to therapy in PDAC. Here, we will develop subtype-specific CAF:cancer co-cultures from different mouse models and identify potential therapeutic targets or therapies. We anticipate that our results might pave a way for personalised targeting of PDAC based on CAF subtypes.