Desmoplastic stroma is a hallmark of aggressive colorectal cancer. Matrix cancer-associated fibroblasts derived THBS2 establishes a fibrotic, immune-exclusionary barrier that limits CD8+ T cell infiltration, while its inhibition restores CXCR3-mediated T cell recruitment and enhances response to immune checkpoint blockade.
- Kosuke Iwane
- Yuki Nakanishi
- Hiroshi Seno