The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in esophageal cancer

Fibroblasts are known as critical stromal cells in wound healing by synthesizing extracellular matrix and collagen. A subpopulation of them is called cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), because their production of proteins participated in various biological activities including tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Currently some studies shed light on their role in esophageal cancer which was an aggressive cancer with a dismal survival and high rate of metastasis. Thus, to find cures for it relies on elucidating the epithelial-fibroblasts crosstalk. Herein, we reviewed the present knowledge of the CAFs' role in esophageal premalignant condition, cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and prognosis prediction and further provided some insights into its clinical application.