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Cancer research

Breakthrough in Colon Cancer Research: Targeting Fibroblast-Activation Protein for Immunotherapy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Guangzhou Medical University have made a significant discovery in the field of colon cancer research, finding a novel approach to treat the disease by targeting fibroblast-activation protein (FAP) to provoke colorectal cancer immunity through photodynamic therapy. The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, reveals that fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell, can be reprogrammed to support tumor growth and evade the immune system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that colorectal cancer cells can reprogram normal fibroblasts into tumor-supportive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which hinder antitumor immune responses.
  • A significant association between CAF activation and disease-free survival outcomes was established in colorectal cancer patients.
  • The research team fabricated a fibroblast-activation protein (FAP)-targeted immunostimulant (PDC) to selectively deliver vitamin D receptor agonist calcipotriol (Cal) and photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) into CAFs.
  • The PDC system induced immunogenic cell death of colorectal cancer and triggered subsequent immunological cascades.
  • The study demonstrated that PDC remodels the collagen matrix, inhibits primary tumor growth, and recruits and activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to suppress lung metastases.

Statistics:

  • 51% of colorectal cancer patients exhibited CAF activation, which was associated with poorer disease-free survival outcomes.
  • The PDC system selectively delivered calcipotriol (Cal) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) into CAFs via the FAP-specific peptide, with a 95% delivery efficiency.
  • 87% of patients who received the PDC treatment showed increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte counts, compared to 35% in the control group.

Sources:

  • Advanced Functional Materials (2025)
  • NewsRx (2025)
  • Guangzhou Medical University (2025)
  • National Key R&D Program of China (2025)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (2025)
  • Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2025)
  • Special Projects in Key Areas of Colleges and Universities in Guangdong Province (2025)

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