Raghu Kalluri

Raghu Kalluri is a world-leading expert in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor stroma who has defined fundamental principles of how stromal cells support tumor growth and metastasis. His laboratory discovered that CAFs are heterogeneous and can have both tumor-promoting and tumor-restraining functions, a paradigm-shifting finding that reshaped TME biology. He identified the critical role of exosomes derived from CAFs in pancreatic cancer progression. His work has identified new stromal targets for cancer therapy and established foundational concepts in tumor microenvironment research.