FAQs

Immortalized CAFs are genetically engineered to proliferate indefinitely while retaining core tumor-supporting functions, offering consistent, cost-effective models for long-term studies like drug screening or mechanistic research. Unlike primary CAFs—which better mimic patient-specific biology but have limited lifespans and donor variability—immortalized lines provide unlimited material with stable marker expression (FAP+/α-SMA+) across passages. While primary CAFs excel for clinical correlation studies, immortalized CAFs eliminate repeat isolations and reduce batch variability, making them ideal for high-throughput applications. Both models complement each other: primary CAFs capture native heterogeneity, while immortalized CAFs ensure reproducibility for extended experiments.

Immortalized CAFs maintain stable expression of key markers (e.g., FAP, α-SMA) for 20+ passages when cultured under recommended conditions. We provide validation data up to Passage 15, but proper media and density control can extend functionality further.

While immortalized CAFs retain core stromal functions (ECM remodeling, cytokine secretion), they may lack some patient-specific heterogeneity. For studies requiring native biology, we recommend pairing them with primary CAFs or patient-derived tumor organoids.

Yes! Their batch-to-batch consistency makes them ideal for high-throughput screening. However, final drug candidates should also be tested in primary CAFs or in vivo models to confirm clinical relevance.