Novel Connective Tissue Cells Offer New Hope in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden have identified a previously unknown subtype of connective tissue cells that surround pancreatic tumors. These cells, known as interferon response cancer-associated fibroblasts (ifCAFs), appear to counteract tumor growth and could represent a promising target for future therapies. Unlike other cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that promote tumor progression and resistance to chemotherapy, these newly discovered cells have tumor-restraining properties by facilitating immune system attack on cancer cells.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Research, sheds light on the complex cellular environment within pancreatic tumors. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously aggressive and often diagnosed at an advanced stage, with current treatments providing limited success. The identification of a cell subgroup that can suppress tumor growth offers hope for developing treatments that can stimulate the body's own defenses.

"While we are still far from effective treatments, this discovery opens up a potential pathway for research into converting the tumor-promoting fibroblasts into tumor-restraining ones," said Daniel Öhlund, associate professor at Umeå University. The team is now exploring drugs that might increase the presence of these beneficial fibroblasts around cancer cells, with the aim of slowing disease progression.

Globally, about half a million new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed annually, highlighting the urgent need for innovative approaches.

This discovery emphasizes the importance of understanding the tumor microenvironment and could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies that harness the body's immune response to combat pancreatic cancer.

For more details, see the original publication: Joshua Cumming et al., "Dissecting FAP+ Cell Diversity in Pancreatic Cancer Uncovers an Interferon-Response Subtype of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts with Tumor-Restraining Properties," Cancer Research, 2025. DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-23-3252.