Highlights
In a retrospective multiomic analysis of more than 3000 colorectal cancer samples, a distinct fibroblast population marked by collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) emerged as a clinically relevant stromal biomarker.
CTHRC1-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were consistently associated with enhanced transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling, worse outcomes in early and advanced colorectal cancer, and a stromal program linked to treatment resistance.
