Type 2 Immune responses are “traditionally” studied in the context of parasite infections and allergic diseases. Nonetheless, recent advances in the field have broadened our perspectives regarding the activity of type 2 immunity. For example, ILC2 cells, eosinophils, macrophages, and the cytokines IL-33, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-4 create an important signaling and effector cell axis in metabolism, tissue regeneration and even neuroinflammation. These exciting new data highlight the possibility that the role of type 2 immunity in cancer has been overlooked and requires further examination.

In support of this, classical type 2-associated cells such as eosinophils have pleiotropic activities. On the one hand, they can provide growth and angiogenic factors to promote tumor growth. On the other, eosinophils can orchestrate anti-tumor immune responses via various mechanisms including direct cell-mediated cytotoxicity, regulation of the vasculature, and enhancement of CD8+ cytotoxic T cell activities.

In this Research Topic, roles of the classical Th2 cytokines (e.g. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) and their cognate receptors as well as epithelial cell-derived cytokines, such as IL-33 and TSLP, will be discussed in the context of cancer. In addition, the roles of type 2 innate immune cells such as eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, and IL-4-polarized macrophages as well as their interactions with adaptive immune cells and roles in emerging immunotherapies will be considered.

The aim of this Research Topic is to gather a comprehensive overview of the detrimental as well as beneficial roles of type 2 immunity in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, we welcome the submission of Reviews and Original Research articles covering the following topics:

1. Th2 cells and Th2 cytokines in malignancies
2. The roles of IL-33, TSLP and IL-25 in the tumor microenvironment and their potential as target for therapies
3. Interactions between mast cells, basophils, eosinophils and T cells in the tumor microenvironment.
4. Role of ILC2 cells in tumor progression and immune regulation

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Frontiers in Immunology

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