Therapeutic agents for targeting desmoplasia: current status and emerging trends

Desmoplasia is a major barrier to chemotherapy in several cancers, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and breast cancer. Tumors comprise of cellular and noncellular components and chemoresistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) with established signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss drugs, such as pentoxifylline, aspirin, and metformin, that have been repurposed and investigated for their antidesmoplastic activity in combination with antitumor drugs. We also highlight less explored new small-molecule drugs, and gene and peptide-based therapeutics for the treatment of desmoplasia and to target CSCs. Promising results from preclinical studies have encouraged several clinical trials to evaluate these antidesmoplastic agents as adjunct to chemotherapy.