The development of unique cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the stroma in excluded tumours creates a physical barrier that prevents T lymphocytes from communicating with tumour cells [60]. We also found that knocking down SPOP reduces the expression of the CAF markers αSMA and COL6A3 (Fig. 7B) [61]. This shows that SPOP can increase the spatial distance between T cells and tumour cells by promoting the development of CAFs. The gene discussed is ACTA1; the disease is cancer.