Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Tumors: Forces beyond Fibroblasts.

Non-fibroblast stromal cell populations are underappreciated architects of tumor extracellular matrix remodeling, shaping biochemical and biomechanical tumor behavior beyond cancer-associated fibroblasts.

• Why it matters: The field has focused mainly on fibroblasts, leaving unclear how other cell types modulate matrix structure and function and how this intersects with immune regulation, metabolism, and metastasis.
• What they did: This review synthesizes evidence on dynamic crosstalk among non-fibroblast cell types in the tumor microenvironment and how they collectively remodel extracellular matrix composition, cross-linking, degradation, and organization.
• The result: Targeting these alternative stromal players is proposed to disrupt pro-tumor matrix dynamics, enhance anti-tumor immunity, and restore tissue homeostasis, supporting precision medicine opportunities.

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