Fig. 1

Response to immunotherapy is associated with balanced collagen formation and degradation in the tumor microenvironment. a A fibrotic tumor microenvironment characterized by high cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activity, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling, and extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen formation is associated with T cell exclusion, immune suppression, and poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). b T cell immunity and response to ICIs are associated with a balanced degree of ECM/collagen formation and degradation, and less CAF and TGF-β activity. c A fibrinolytic tumor microenvironment characterized by high matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and ECM and collagen degradation is associated with immune suppression and resistance to ICIs