The features of cancer-associated fibroblasts as components of tumor stroma in bladder cancer

The subject of the study is the data from the world literature on tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and their target markers, on the relationship of this group of cells with clinical and prognostic characteristics. Tumor-associated fibroblasts are a heterogeneous group of cells of the mesenchymal microenvironment in the tumor stroma that play a significant role in tumor development and disease progression, and are also directly related to treatment tactics. Current trends in bladder cancer (BC) research include the investigation of these cell groups and their target markers. The following open internet resources were used to search for literature sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine, and The Human Protein Atlas. Sources were selected using keywords (indicated in the appropriate field) and publication dates. CAFs and their immunohistochemical markers can be used not only to improve diagnostic panels of urothelial carcinomas, but also to potentially improve the selection criteria for patient groups for the application of various treatment strategies, including minimally invasive methods.