Fibroblasts, an inconspicuous but essential player in colon cancer development and progression

Figure 2 Action of cancer associated fibroblasts on tumor cells. CAF can induce tumor cells to enhance their tumor initiating capacity (stemness), and to undergo EMT. CAFs provide tumor cells with various growth factors to promote their growth. CAFs can also instigate pro-metastatic niche by inducing tumor cell cluster and angiogenesis, and suppressing tumor cell apoptosis. CAFs: Cancer associated fibroblasts; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor.