Characterization of tumor-derived mesenchymal stem cells potentially differentiating into cancer-associated fibroblasts in lung cancer

Purpose The goal of this study was to understand if mesenchymal stem cells isolated from lung tumor tissue (T-MSCs) may differentiate into cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), that promote neoplastic progression, angiogenesis and metastasis in the epithelial solid tumors, mimicking the tumor microenvironmental influence.