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International Journal of Oncology
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Print ISSN: 1019-6439 Online ISSN: 1791-2423
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July-2026 Volume 69 Issue 1

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

Biomedical Reports

Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

International Journal of Epigenetics

Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease.

Medicine International

Medicine International

An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine.

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Review Open Access

Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Yan Wan
    • Xiang-Qing Liu
    • Dong Liu
    • Ke-Di Li
    • Dan-Dan Zhang

  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: School of Pharmacy, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Wan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 87
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    Published online on: June 3, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2026.5900
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Abstract

Cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a critical role in cancer development, recurrence and metastasis. Several signaling pathways are crucial in CAF development, including fibroblast activation protein (FAP), phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), nuclear factor κB (NF‑κB), transforming growth factor β (TGF‑β), ferroptosis, apoptosis and autophagy pathways. Targeting the ferroptosis signaling pathway specifically kills CAFs. Therefore, targeting these pathways may inhibit the protumorigenic functions of CAFs. Small molecule drugs, due to their well‑dispersed spatial structures and distinct chemical properties, exhibit promising druggability and pharmacokinetic profiles. These characteristics make small molecule drugs highly advantageous in drug development and increasingly favored in the market. The present review summarized current studies on small molecule compounds that inhibit CAF progression, encompassing inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, TGF‑β and NF‑κB pathways, as well as activators of the FAP, ferroptosis, apoptosis and autophagy pathways. These small molecule compounds underscore the significance of CAFs in tumor progression and suggest novel strategies for cancer treatment by targeting CAFs in clinical settings.

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Wan Y, Liu X, Liu D, Li K and Zhang D: Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review). Int J Oncol 69: 87, 2026.
APA
Wan, Y., Liu, X., Liu, D., Li, K., & Zhang, D. (2026). Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 69, 87. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2026.5900
MLA
Wan, Y., Liu, X., Liu, D., Li, K., Zhang, D."Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 69.1 (2026): 87.
Chicago
Wan, Y., Liu, X., Liu, D., Li, K., Zhang, D."Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 69, no. 1 (2026): 87. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2026.5900
Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Wan Y, Liu X, Liu D, Li K and Zhang D: Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review). Int J Oncol 69: 87, 2026.
APA
Wan, Y., Liu, X., Liu, D., Li, K., & Zhang, D. (2026). Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 69, 87. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2026.5900
MLA
Wan, Y., Liu, X., Liu, D., Li, K., Zhang, D."Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 69.1 (2026): 87.
Chicago
Wan, Y., Liu, X., Liu, D., Li, K., Zhang, D."Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer fibroblast cells (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 69, no. 1 (2026): 87. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2026.5900
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