While previous reports have established that EMT(-related-) TFs ZEB1, SNAIL, TWIST, and PRRX1 can regulate the classical mechanoinvasive features of CAFs directly affecting tumor malignancy (Feldmann et al, 2021; Stanisavljevic et al, 2015; Yeo et al, 2018), our data highlight a critical impact of CAF plasticity on modulation of anti-tumor immunity that may contribute to the poor prognosis reported in breast and pancreatic cancer patients with elevated ZEB1+ stromal cells (Bronsert et al, 2014; Ouled Dhaou et al, 2020). Here, ZEB1 is linked to familial pancreatic carcinoma.