SDC1(+) CAFs secreting CTGF drive tumour metastasis via FGFR3 signalling in cancers.

SDC1-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts universally promote metastasis across multiple cancers via CTGF secretion and FGFR3 activation, with 554 samples analyzed.

• Why it matters: Understanding conserved CAF subtypes is crucial because their heterogeneity complicates targeted therapies, and identifying universal pro-metastatic CAFs can improve treatment strategies across diverse cancers.
• What they did: A pan-cancer CAF atlas was created using single-cell transcriptomics from 14 cancer types, revealing a conserved SDC1+ CAF subset that secretes CTGF to activate FGFR3 signaling, promoting EMT and metastasis.
• The result: Blocking CTGF or FGFR3 halted metastasis, and the KLF6-CTGF-FGFR3 axis was identified as a key driver, offering new stromal targets for anti-metastatic therapies applicable across multiple malignancies.