Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression as a target for colorectal cancer treatment

Abstract

Abstract Background: Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) is a protein expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of epithelial cancers. There is potential interest in the use of FAP as a way to selectively target cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we examine the expression of FAP in human colorectal cancers across stages and compare that expression to expression in normal colon and liver tissue. Additionally, we examine the correlation of FAP expression with key CRC clinical and biologic features to aid in potentially determining which CRC patients would be the most likely to benefit from FAP-directed therapies. ..