The Translational and Therapeutic Potential of the Tumor Microenvironment in Oral Cancer

In recent years, the importance of the tissue surrounding a tumour, commonly termed the tumour microenvironment (TME), has been increasingly recognized. Whilst likely to play a tumour-suppressive role in the early stages of carcinogenesis, a wide array of evidence indicates the TME becomes corrupted by the presence of malignant cells and becomes tumour permissive, promoting growth, metastasis, immune evasion and therapeutic resistance. The major components of the TME are fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells and the extracellular matrix in which they are embedded, but this is highly heterogeneous and site-specific, with other cells such as adipose, bone and neuronal likely to play a prominent role in some tumours. Other patient-specific factors are also likely to be important, including age and previous treatment. The multi-faceted contribution of the TME to tumourigenesis offers great potential for therapeutic intervention and biomarker development, but its inherent heterogeneity necessitates in-depth understanding of the contribution of different components of the TME to tumourigenesis to underpin clinical translation.

This Research Topic will encompass a wide range of areas relating to the therapeutic opportunities offered by the tumour microenvironment of oral cancer, including (but not limited to) the role of fibroblasts, infiltrating immune and inflammatory cells and the extracellular matrix, including the influence of aging and previous treatment. The collection can encompass a range of oral tumours including mucosal cancers, salivary gland cancers and tumours of the jaws, including odontogenic tumours. This Research Topic will have a translational focus to it and may include biomarker development.

We are particularly interested in receiving papers describing:

- fundamental mechanisms underlying the contribution of components of the tumour microenvironment to carcinogenesis, tumour growth, metastasis and extra-nodal extension
- the contribution of the physico-chemical environment to tumour progression
- intercellular signalling pathways within the tumour microenvironment
- the impact of ageing and previous treatment on the tumour microenvironment
- tumour microenvironmental biomarkers
- therapeutic targeting of components of the tumour microenvironment

We welcome primary articles, review articles and mini reviews.