Tumor-associated-fibrosis and active collagen-CD44 axis characterize a poor-prognosis subtype of gastric cancer and contribute to tumor immunosuppression

Our study identified a new subtype of gastric cancer, revealing that fibrosis is a critical mechanism driving immune suppression in gastric cancer and emphasizing the central role of the Collagen-CD44 signaling axis. The Collagen-CD44 signaling axis has the potential to serve as a novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer by enhancing immune cell-mediated tumor suppression. By combining it with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), it may improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for gastric cancer and offer new hope for treatment.