Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and tumour cells in head and neck cancer - Unraveling the complex pathway and CAF-targeted therapy

• Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are critical determinant of HNSCC disease progression and therapeutic outcome. • Relevant 3D in vitro cancer models present a cost-effective platform for preclinical testing. • CAFs and tumour cell interaction mediate a pro-tumoral effect on cancer cells, resulting in faster proliferation, increased stemness, EMT, and therapeutic resistance. • CAF targeted therapy improves the efficiency of currently available cancer treatment regimens that target resistance-related molecules.