Targeting CAFs to Improve Anti-PD-1 Checkpoint Immunotherapy.

The tumor microenvironment is a complex ecosystem that drives cancer progression and restrains immunity. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown strong potential in a subset of patients, a better understanding of suppressive mechanisms may inspire ways to improve immunotherapeutic efficacy. A new study in this issue of Cancer Research focuses on targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts in preclinical models of gastric tumors. Aiming to rebalance anticancer immunity and enhance treatment responses to checkpoint-blocking antibodies, this work also addresses the potential for multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitors in treating gastrointestinal cancer. See related article by Akiyama et al., p. 753.