Metastasis-associated fibroblasts in oral squamous cell carcinoma: An illusion or a reality

ABSTRACT

Fibroblasts at the pre-metastatic site exhibited characteristic trait for creation of metastatic milieu which aid in the formation of distant metastasis, and are called as metastasis associated fibroblasts (MAFs).Array of studies showed that MAF bears similar attributes as that of carcinoma associated fibroblasts present in primary tumor. MAFs showed expression of specific type of molecules and pathways to form required pre-metastatic microenvironment at the distant site. It will be important to unrevealed characteristics features in OSCC so as to help in implicating the new therapeutic strategies.