Figure 7.

Model: FGFR blockade reverses T cell exclusion and ICT resistance by modulating CAFs. Blocking FGFR by FGFR inhibitor (FGFRi) suppresses the activation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in CAFs, thereby inhibiting the proliferation, migration and secretion of VCAM-1 of CAFs, leading to the breakage of physical and chemical barriers built by CAFs to prevent T cell infiltration. Notably, FGFRi improves ICT efficacy by increasing the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells such as CD8⁺ T cells and M1 macrophages, inhibiting the infiltration of pro-tumor immune cells such as MDSC and M2 macrophages, and enhancing anti-tumor activity of CTLs in tumors.