Cancer cells program fibroblasts into cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We demonstrated that lung CAF-targeted nanomedicine that blocks fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)–Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway can reverse the immunosuppressive CAFs into quiescent fibroblasts and thereby boosting the efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy.

Pancreatic cancer patient-derived CAFs secrete excessive amounts of ECM proteins such as fibronectin and collagen which form a fibrous network of desmoplastic stroma that impedes the tumoral infiltration of immune cells. We recently engineered a highly penetrating ultrasmall nanodisc that can remodel stromal CAFs and reverses immune resistance of PDAC.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)-associated fibroblasts form a stromal barrier resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We developed antagomir-loaded nanodisc that remodels the renal CAFs into quiescent fibroblasts and thereby reversing the immunosuppressive tumor into immune hot one.

We designed a nanomedicine-based strategy to reprogram the differentiated colon fibroblasts into quiescent ones and thereby relieving fibrosis.

Targeted remodeling of the transformed synovial fibroblasts (SFs) in arthritic joint is a promising approach. We engineered a nanomedicine to remodel SFs into a quiescent phenotype to relieve joint fibrosis and reduce tissue destruction.

Lung cancer cells secrete exosomes that induce differentiation of lung stromal fibroblasts into CAFs. We developed lung cancer-targeted nanomedicine that synergistically shut down the exosome biogenesis/exocytosis machinery and thereby suppressing the differentiation of fibroblasts.