Chemotherapy has been the gold standard for treating many types of cancers. Although this approach has been widely used to treat cancer, its downstream effects are still not well understood. The administration of chemotherapy drugs may tilt the balance of the tumor microenvironment, especially in terms of the anti-tumor immune response, drug resistance, and cancer stem cell dissemination.
Chemotherapy has become the standard approach for treating both solid cancers and hematological malignancies. Some studies have shown that, in addition to the direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, a fraction of chemotherapy agents may in turn promote immunogenic cell death and consequently alter the tumor microenvironment in terms of immune cells and inflammation. Aside from this, chemotherapy may also affect the acquisition of drug resistant clones, or survival of cancer stem cells that may further promote tumorigenesis. Additionally, the idea of combining chemotherapy and immune-based therapies have been promising, but the downstream effects of chemotherapy is still elusive, especially in terms of its synergistic effects in promoting an anti-tumor immune response. Ultimately, there are many consequences of chemotherapy that are still unknown, especially in relation to how it affects the tumor microenvironment.
This Research Topic is, therefore, aimed to collect research that can highlight or provide insights into the effects of chemotherapy towards the tumor microenvironment. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Data Reports focusing on, but not limited to:
1. Effects of chemotherapy on the activity of immune cells such as T cells and NK cells
2. Impact of chemotherapy on drug resistance and specific biomarkers
3. Impact of chemotherapy on cancer stem cells
4. Immunogenic effects of chemotherapy
5. Efficacy and mechanisms of combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy
6. Pro- and anti-metastatic effects of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy has been the gold standard for treating many types of cancers. Although this approach has been widely used to treat cancer, its downstream effects are still not well understood. The administration of chemotherapy drugs may tilt the balance of the tumor microenvironment, especially in terms of the anti-tumor immune response, drug resistance, and cancer stem cell dissemination.
Chemotherapy has become the standard approach for treating both solid cancers and hematological malignancies. Some studies have shown that, in addition to the direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, a fraction of chemotherapy agents may in turn promote immunogenic cell death and consequently alter the tumor microenvironment in terms of immune cells and inflammation. Aside from this, chemotherapy may also affect the acquisition of drug resistant clones, or survival of cancer stem cells that may further promote tumorigenesis. Additionally, the idea of combining chemotherapy and immune-based therapies have been promising, but the downstream effects of chemotherapy is still elusive, especially in terms of its synergistic effects in promoting an anti-tumor immune response. Ultimately, there are many consequences of chemotherapy that are still unknown, especially in relation to how it affects the tumor microenvironment.
This Research Topic is, therefore, aimed to collect research that can highlight or provide insights into the effects of chemotherapy towards the tumor microenvironment. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Data Reports focusing on, but not limited to:
1. Effects of chemotherapy on the activity of immune cells such as T cells and NK cells
2. Impact of chemotherapy on drug resistance and specific biomarkers
3. Impact of chemotherapy on cancer stem cells
4. Immunogenic effects of chemotherapy
5. Efficacy and mechanisms of combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy
6. Pro- and anti-metastatic effects of chemotherapy