Table 2 Strategies of targeting CAFs in HCC

Engineer CAFs

miR-335

–

Inhibit proliferation and invasion

[105]

miR-320

Target PBX3 to suppress MAPK pathway

Inhibit proliferation and metastasis

[106]

miR-101

Target TGF-β/ SDF1-VE-cadherin/MMP2/LAMC2 networks

Suppress CAFs-promoted VM formation

[57]

Target CAFs’ precursors

Sibrotuzumab

–

Inhibit HSCs activation

[107]

DFOG

Suppress FOXM1 expression and HGF secretion

Inhibit CSC features and activation of HSCs

[108]

Metformin

–

Inactivate HSCs and abrogate hepatocarcinogenesis

[109]

Curcumin

Inactivate ROS/ HIF-1α/CTGF signaling

Suppress HSCs-induced angiogenesis and invasion

[110]

α-bromomethylene phosphonate- LPA

Block the transformation from PTFs to CAFs

[45]

Target paracrine productions of CAFs

IL-6 neutralizing antibody

Inhibit IL-6 signaling

Deplete stem cell-like properties of HCC cells

[65]

LY2109761

Inhibit the synthesis and release of CTGF

Reduce HCC growth and dissemination

[47]

CCL2,5,7 antibodies

Inhibit Hh and TGF-β pathways

Inhibit tumor migration

[66]

T0901317

Abrogate TGF-β-induced phenotypes through LXRα interactions

Suppress HCC growth

[42]

RvD1

Suppress COMP secretiom by targeting FPR2/ROS/FOXM1 signaling

Impede CAFs-induced EMT and stemness features of HCC cells

[30]

Target CAFs-mediated signaling and pathways

Dorsomorphin

Inhibit SMAD signaling

Impede the activation of CAFs

[51]

P38 MAPK inhibitor

Block CAF-M-MDSC crosstalk

Provoke antitumor immunity

[111]

Rapamycin

Suppress mTOR-signaling pathway

Inhibit HCC cells proliferation, migration and invasion

[62]

Cryptotanshinone

Inactivate p-STAT3 signaling

Abrogate stem cell-like properties of HCC cells

[65]