Analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma

Activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and fibroblasts that have undergone the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer stroma contribute to tumor progression and metastasis. However, no reports have investigated the CAF phenotype and its clinicopathological relevance in cutaneous malignant tumors, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and malignant melanoma (MM). Here, we investigated the CAF phenotype in cutaneous malignant tumors based on their histology and immunohistochemical expression of CAF-related markers, including adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1), podoplanin, platelet derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), PDGFRβ, fibroblast activating protein (FAP), CD10, S100A4, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and EMT-related markers (Zeb1, Slug and Twist).

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