Cancer‐associated fibroblast heterogeneity in chordoma†

• DOI: 10.1002/path.6420
• Publication Date: 2025-03-15T16:23:00Z
• Authors: Jack C Henry; Angus J M Cameron
• Keywords: Chordoma

Abstract In solid tumours, malignant cells develop relationships with nonmalignant stromal to support tumour growth, tissue structure, and nutrient supply. a recent issue of this journal, Zheng Guo catalogue the cellular landscape in chordoma using combination single‐cell spatial transcriptomics. Despite mesenchymal nature chordoma, retain expression epithelial markers, addition mesenchymal, partial‐EMT, stem‐cell signatures. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are among most abundant authors define an inflammatory CAF subtype (iCAF), which is associated poor outcome invasion. It proposed that iCAFs arise from normal during progression play causative role driving invasive prognosis phenotype. Recent reports by other groups have separately catalogued cell populations, including CAFs immune chordoma. The next challenge will be integrate findings these distinct studies allow consensus reached regarding heterogeneity within comparison populations those found types. Comparison functions predominantly tumours may reveal interesting lessons about diverse phenotypes can bring ecosystems. Understanding also lead therapeutic opportunities, but separation correlation causation regulation remains significant challenge. © 2025 Author(s). Journal Pathology published John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf Pathological Society Great Britain Ireland.